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Abstract

PEECH (Programming for Early Education of Children with Handicaps) is a center-based program combining child-initiated and teacher-directed activities for children with mild to moderate disabilities, ages 3 to 5. Its major goal is to enhance children's language development and social competency. An ongoing assessment instrument based on developmental guidelines is used to determine where a child is developmentally, to form Individual Educational Plans, to chart child progress, and to link assessment to the curriculum for center and home activities. Best practices in areas critical to exemplary early childhood education programs are covered in the model components. Data collected at replication sites in 1983 through 1991 were used to examine the impact of PEECH on child progress. Preschool children with mild to moderate disabilities showed improvement in receptive and expressive vocabulary and social competency. The PEECH model was revalidated by the Program Effectiveness Panel for national dissemination through the National Diffusion Network in March 1992.

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