The research is clear: Including students with disabilities in general education classrooms is the most effective way for all students to learn. If you are working toward greater inclusivity in your school or system, this book from educators and inclusion experts Julie Causton, Kate MacLeod, Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, Jenna Mancini Rufo, and Paul Gordon is an invaluable guide for you and your leadership team. Chock-full of research, resources, and seasoned advice, The Way to Inclusion walks you step-by-step through the inclusivity change process, from envisioning your path to reimagining the roles of existing staff and everything in between. The book outlines seven clearly defined milestones tied to an Action Plan that will help you stay the course with so vital an initiative. In addition to milestones and leadership questions, you'll find: Instructions for conducting an equity review of your system with a focus on special education. Guidance for creating and analyzing service-delivery maps, including before-and-after examples from systems that have successfully shifted to greater inclusivity. Classroom observation and staff survey tools. First-person accounts from educators who have undergone the change process. Best practices for developing an inclusivity-focused vision statement. Downloadable forms and templates to help you move forward with implementation. There is no excuse for segregating our students with disabilities from the rest of the student body. This indispensable guide will help you make certain that all students in your system not only learn but also thrive in the least restrictive environment possible.

As more and more early childhood settings implement inclusive practices, teachers need to blend special and general education techniques to help all children learn. They'll find out how with the new edition of this bestselling text, which combines today's best practices for teaching young children with and without disabilities into one comprehensive approach. Ideal for current and future early childhood educators working with children from ages 2 to 5, this comprehensive text provides explicit guidance on developing a successful curriculum framework, working effectively with families and other team members, tailoring instruction to each child's individual needs, and embedding learning opportunities that address all children's goals. Teachers will learn from the field's most current research, and they'll get a full continuum of strategies for teaching young children with diverse abilities. Practical information on authentic assessment and data-driven decision-making is also woven throughout the book. An essential reference to keep and use for years to come, this book is every early childhood educator's guide to blending the best of special and general education, developing effective curricula, and improving outcomes for all children. WHAT'S NEW Increased focus on how to implement multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) New chapters on applying blended practices in specific content areas: language, literacy, social-emotional skills, and math The latest on state and federal funding initiatives for early childhood-and how to maintain quality practices that align with these initiatives More guidance on determining the scope and sequence of what to teach children Current recommendations from key professional organizations like NAEYC and DEC, and their implications for teachers USER-FRIENDLY FEATURES: Includes visual aids and sample forms, vignettes and practical examples that illustrate key concepts and guiding principles, helpful summaries for each chapter, case studies, and learning activities that challenge students to test and expand their knowledge.

Meaningful, authentic assessment practices are one key to the success of early childhood inclusion. Prepare current and future teachers with the second edition of this comprehensive textbook, an in-depth guide to the how and the why of high-quality assessment in the context of inclusive early childhood settings.Updated with new contributors and coverage of timely new topics, this book takes a blended approach to assessment, combining the latest recommended practices from early childhood education and early childhood special education. Well-known experts Kristie Pretti-Frontczak and Jennifer Grisham have developed this text to align with Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices on assessment. Educators will learn how to select and use assessment instruments, conduct authentic assessment during daily activities and routines, collaborate with families and other team members, master the challenges of kindergarten assessment, conduct eligibility assessments, use assessment to inform program planning and monitor progress, and more. Ideal for both undergraduate and graduate courses and personnel preparation programs, this comprehensive text gives teachers the knowledge and tools they need to implement high-quality assessment and reap its benefits: inclusive, family-centered programming that improves outcomes for all children. WHATS NEW: New section on considerations for special populations: dual language learners, children in kindergarten, and children who have severe and multiple disabilities Increased focus on educational equity throughout the book New and expanded coverage of important themes and topics, including authenticity, collaborative partnerships, and data-based decision making New invited contributors who are experts in the field and advocates for early childhood inclusion More practical materials, including new and extended case studies, a revised Curriculum-Based Assessment Rating Rubric and glossary, and a list of recommended practices Overview of revised versions of commonly used curriculum-based assessments, including AEPS-3, COR Advantage, and Work Sampling System Companion materials for faculty, including PowerPoints with links to activities and resources

How can early childhood professionals make informed decisions while selecting assessment materials that meet recommended practices? Use the NEW edition of this essential reference, the only book with professional ratings and reviews of 80 authentic, widely used assessment tools for children birth-8. Completely revamped and even more user-friendly than its popular first edition, this must-have guide provides ratings of the qualities of assessment materials based on 1) "consumer reports" and ratings from a survey of more than 1,000 professionals 2) detailed reviews from a panel of assessment experts, and 3) ratings drawn from the authors' own extensive expertise Now with NEW features that make the ratings and reviews even more specific and useful (see box), this book helps early childhood professionals evaluate how each assessment tool measures up to 8 critical standards: acceptability, authenticity, collaboration, evidence, multifactors, sensitivity, universality, and utility easily compare assessment tools, with At a Glance snapshots of good-quality measures and more in-depth Close-Ups of the top-rated assessments determine which assessments best meet specific needs of both program and child select tools compatible with the ones a program is already using link realistic, authentic assessments with effective interventions meet professional standards for recommended assessment practice deepen their knowledge and use of assessment standards for personally rating assessment tools A key text for courses on assessment and the go-to assessment guide for every early childhood program, this invaluable book will help professionals ensure high-quality services for children with and without disabilities. Professionals will have the clear and concise guidance they need to choose appropriate assessment tools that link to their programs, help design interventions that meet children's individual needs, and give all young children the