Combining General and Special Early Childhood Education Standards in Personnel Preparation Programs

Abstract

The rapid increase in state efforts to provide services for children from birth through 5 years of age has the potential to foster growth in programs that serve children who have diverse needs and abilities. Early childhood professionals are beginning to recognize, however, that full inclusion of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities in a range of early childhood service settings is more likely to occur if personnel preparation programs are also integrated. This article describes the development and implementation of two interdisciplinary preservice programs that have combined standards from early childhood and early childhood special education to prepare personnel for integrated settings. Implications of professional unification in higher education are discussed.

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