Components of Quality Program Assessment Tools

 “Inclusion has legal status in legislation mandating educational services for all children with disabilities from birth on.” (Cate et al.,2010 p.1)  Inclusion involves the “effort to maximize the participation of children and families in typical home and community activities.” (Cate et al.,2010 p.1)

Report One: Evaluation Summary of the Expanding Opportunities Interagency Inclusion Initiative: Increasing and Enhancing Access, Participation and Supports for All Children in High Quality Inclusive Programs and Services Report Two: Quality Indicators of Inclusive Early Childhood Programs/Practices: A Compilation of Selected Resources

Summary:  The stakeholders in the American Department of Health and Human Services sought to improve the quality in child care in the area of inclusion.  The “next steps” are that of which the American Federal and State agencies should take to achieve High Quality Inclusive Programs for children.  These steps are Leadership, Profession Development and Accountability. Cate et al.,2010

Impact% of EO states 1) Strengthen partnerships across state agencies or initiatives 80% 2) Increase public awareness regarding inclusion 65% 3) Improve personnel development systems 60% 4) Effectively address funding and finance barriers to inclusion 45% 5) Launch other inclusion initiatives40% 6) Build community partnerships and local coordination to support inclusion 40% Cate et al.,2010

Some states have developed interagency training and TA resources and have conducted new and revised training and TA specific to inclusion. FL — PreKindergarten Children with Disabilities: Expanding Opportunities for Providing Services ID — Quality Rating and Improvement System

 Professional Development  Workshops  Identify the inclusion policies and standards outlined by the Canadian government

1) Are any of us aware of Ontario's current stance on inclusion? If yes explain. If no, explain how the government can bring more public awareness to inclusion. 2) What laws would set into motion to create quality inclusive childcare?

Summary: The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Preschool TA team has put together a report that contains a compilation of selected resources that will aid the reader in preparing a Quality Inclusive programs. The report: is divided into five section: Quality Inclusion Practices Consideration, Classroom Observation Right Tools, Individual Child Focused Considerations, Collaborative Inclusion Practices and Quality and Improvement. (National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC), 2011)

StrategyNever RarelyOccasionallyFrequentlyComments I provide enough free time choice for these friends to play together I let these two friends form their own friendship I provide suggestions to solve problems or resolve conflict between these two friends I encourage play between these two friends by commenting on their activities in an encouraging way I invite these two friends to play together I share information with parents so they can arrange play dates outside of school for these two friends I allow these friends to play off on their own I make special materials or activities available during free choice time that encourage these friends to play together I arrange for a child to be close to the friend I speak for a child or interpret a child’s behavior so the friend can understand Other strategies I use (National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC), 2011)

1. Furniture: What does it look like? 2. Are health and safety procedures implemented throughout the classroom? 3. Are classroom displays examples of children’s work? 4. Is the room free of unnecessary clutter and extraneous stimulation? 5. Are the classroom spaces well organized, and are learning materials accessible to all children? 6. Are Language and literacy experiences prominent throughout the classroom ? 7.Are the staff interactions with children positive and promote the development of critical thinking skills? 8. Is diversity reflected through the classroom environment? 9.What does the outdoor space look like? Is it safe, accessible for all children, and includes equipment and materials for a variety of activities? National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC), 2011)

 Encourage the companies that I work with to use a rating scale  Professional Development  Always seek ways to improve quality

1. Once all the tools are put into place should there be follow up procedures? If yes, give suggestions for procedures. If no, explain why. 2. Should there be a universal rating scale? If yes, what would it look like? If no, explain why.

“We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life.” -President Barack Obama, in an address to joint session of Congress, February 24, 2009

Cate, D., Diefendorf, M., McCullough, K., Peters, M., Whaley, K., & National Early Childhood Technical Assistance, C. (2010). Quality Indicators of Inclusive Early Childhood Programs/Practices: A Compilation of Selected Resources. National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC). Retrieved from EBSCOhost.  National Early Childhood Technical Assistance, C. (2011). Evaluation Summary of the Expanding Opportunities Interagency Inclusion Initiative: Increasing and Enhancing Access, Participation and Supports for All Children in High Quality Inclusive Programs and Services. National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC), Retrieved from EBSCOhost.  Knabe, D.(2010, December 14).The Steps to Excellence Program [video file] Retrieved from