Professional Development on Inclusion eNews, April 2009
A regular email newsletter and update from the National Professional Development Center on Inclusion
April 2009
In this issue
RESOURCES
- Program Quality and Early Childhood Inclusion Recommendations for Professional Development
DISCUSSIONS
- New Professional Development Online Discussion Begins Today
- Speaking of Inclusion Blog
- Quick Poll: Stimulus Package
Resources
Program Quality and Early Childhood Inclusion Recommendations for Professional Development
by Virginia Buysse and Heidi Hollingsworth
This article, appearing in Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, provides recommendations for how components of quality inclusion can be incorporated into professional development to ensure that practitioners are highly effective in serving every child, including those with disabilities, and their families.
Visit web site for abstract and paper links
Discussions
New Professional Development Online Discussion Begins Today
Topic: Reflective Supervision
Discussion Moderator: Linda Eggbeer, Director of Professional Development at ZERO TO THREE
Dates: April13-24
Come share your questions, comments, examples, insights and ideas. Join ZERO TO THREE moderator Linda Eggbeer to share your insights and experiences about Reflective Supervision.
Linda is Director of Professional Development at ZERO TO THREE. Actively engaged in the early childhood field for over 35 years, she has created and directed a wide variety of local, state and national efforts designed to improve the quality of the workforce serving young children and their families. She oversees ZERO TO THREE’s training and technical assistance efforts aimed at promoting competence in the multidisciplinary infant/family field.
Speaking of Inclusion Blog
Visit NPDCI’s blog “Speaking of Inclusion..."
Each week we invite your comments on inclusion insights, stories and resources.
Based on your responses and interest, NPDCI will continue to keep discussions on maximizing resources from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (stimulus) going in April. Special thanks to Anne Mitchell, former president of NAEYC, who facilitated the discussion in March.
Stimulus Package Funds: A Support for Inclusion?
by Camille Catlett
In a recent brief published by the BUILD Initiative, Anne Mitchell and Louise Stoney highlighted ways in which stimulus funds (from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act/ARRA) could be targeted to supports for quality inclusion for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities. They suggest strategies that align with each state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System or QRIS. Examples include using stimulus dollars to:
- Ensure that early intervention and preschool special education programs are able to participate in the state QRIS system. This may include reviewing/revising policies, procedures, and supports for these programs.
- Provide professional development to QRIS participants on effective strategies for including children with disabilities.
- Craft state policy to establish priority placement in high quality early care and education programs for children with disabilities.
How is your state thinking about using ARRA funds to support inclusion?
More Blog Postings:
- Special Olympics "Joke" Fuels Discussion
How can we better prepare people to both avoid gaffes and to take proactive steps in enhancing dignity? (2 comments) -
Maximizing Resources from the Stimulus Package
Special thanks to Anne Mitchell, former president of NAEYC, who facilitated this hearty discussion in March. (29 comments) - Inclusive Program Quality and Professional Development
How do early childhood programs get their ratings as part of a quality rating system? Is inclusion of children with disabilities and their families taken into consideration in a program’s rating? (1 comment)
Quick Poll
Following up last month’s blog discussion on the stimulus package, this month we want to ask:
Have you or your organization begun drafting any proposals for use of Stimulus Plan funds?
Cast your vote
Recap: Last month we asked, "Does your state have, or is your state developing a Quality Rating System"? Of those who responded, 82% said “Yes”, while those responding “No” and “Uncertain” split the difference (9% each).
"Word of Mouse"
Your word is better than ours. Forward this issue to a colleague and let them know about the work our community is doing.
This newsletter is a monthly mailing from the National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI).
