The Preschool Inclusion Toolbox

How to Build and Lead a High-Quality Program

by Erin E. Barton, Ph.D., BCBA-D Barton Consulting, LLC Nashville, Tennessee
Barbara J. Smith, Ph.D. Denver, Colorado
Brandy M. Locchetta, Ph.D., BCBA-D University of West Georgia Carrollton

Contents

• About the Downloads ... vii
• About the Authors ... ix
• About the Contributors ... xi
• Foreword Hailey Love ... xiii
• Dedication ... xv
• Introduction ... 1
• Appendix IA Fact Sheet of Research on Preschool Inclusion ... 6
• Appendix IB Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Provisions Supporting Preschool Inclusion ... 19
• Appendix IC DEC/NAEYC Joint Position Statement on Inclusion ... 37
• Appendix ID Our Family’s Story: Relearning Inclusion Through Love ... 42
• I Laying the Groundwork for Preschool Inclusion ... 45
  • 1 What Is Quality Inclusion? ... 47
  • 2 Preschool Inclusion Challenges and Solutions ... 61
  • 3 Creating Policies and Procedures That Support Preschool Inclusion ... 73
• II Evidence-Based Practices That Support Preschool Inclusion ... 91
  • 4 Supporting Preschool Inclusion Through Teaming and Action Planning ... 93
    • Appendix 4A What Is Discourse and How Can We Use It to Advance High-Quality Preschool Inclusion? ... 107
  • 5 Supporting Preschool Inclusion Through High-Quality Professional Development ... 109
• Making Preschool Inclusion Happen ... 125
• 6 Financing High-Quality Preschool Inclusion ... 127
• 7 Administrative Support for High-Quality Preschool Inclusion ... 135
• 8 Models of Preschool Inclusion ... 141
• 9 Making Individualized Child Placement Decisions ... 151
• 10 Bringing It All Together ... 167
• References ... 173
• Resources ... 177
• Index ... 179

About the Downloads

Purchasers of this book may download, print, and/or photocopy the Forms and Appendixes for professional and educational use. To access the materials that come with this book:

1. Go to the Brookes Publishing Download Hub: http://downloads.brookespublishing.com
2. Register to create an account (or log in with an existing account).
3. Filter or search for the book title The Preschool Inclusion Toolbox: How to Build and Lead a High-Quality Program, Second Edition.

About the Authors

Erin E. Barton, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Barton Consulting, LLC, Nashville, TN

Erin E. Barton has over 30 years of experience in education, focusing on creating supportive and inclusive environments for children with disabilities.

Barbara J. Smith, Ph.D., Retired, Denver, CO

Dr. Smith is a key figure in developing the Pyramid Model leadership strategies and has contributed to numerous inclusive education frameworks.

Brandy M. Locchetta, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Assistant Professor, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA

Dr. Locchetta specializes in early childhood inclusion and applied behavior analysis, with a rich background in early childhood education.

Introduction

This toolbox provides practical tools to assist school districts in developing policies and procedures that promote preschool inclusion. It aims to support educational professionals in meeting the needs of all children, including those with disabilities, particularly through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requirements.

Key Terms

• Public policies: Laws and regulations enacted by public institutions.
• Procedures and program-level policies: Written guidelines that facilitate operational practices within educational settings.
• Preschool children with disabilities: Children ages 3-5 eligible for free appropriate public education under IDEA.

Tools in the Toolbox

• Fact sheets summarizing research and IDEA requirements.
• Templates, checklists, and sample materials for supportive policies.
• Graphics summarizing common challenges and solutions.
• Tips for success from professionals.
• Reflection questions for critical thinking.

Research

This toolbox is built on decades of research that show high-quality preschool programs significantly improve developmental outcomes for children with disabilities. These environments encourage positive relationships and learning for all children.

Laws Supporting Preschool Inclusion

Various laws, including IDEA and ADA, mandate that children with disabilities receive inclusive education. This emphasizes the significance of ensuring children with disabilities are educated alongside their nondisabled peers.

U.S. Departments Policy Statement on Inclusion (2023)

The policy statement advocates for inclusive early childhood programs recognizing the importance of individualized support and the collective responsibility of communities to foster an inclusive atmosphere.

Conclusion

Creating a high-quality preschool inclusion environment is a critical objective for educators, aimed at ensuring access and participation for all children, emphasizing collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to achieve successful inclusion.