Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article summarizes a qualitative research study sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education. Recommendations to the department to promote more opportunities for preschool integration were elicited from focus group and individual interviews with representatives from 11 Virginia school divisions that were providing integrated preschool programs. Recommendations included the provision of written information, staff development, changes in current personnel preparation, financial support, and state-level actions that emphasized interagency coordination. The Department of Education used these recommendations to develop and implement a systematic plan to influence the initiation and ongoing success of integration at the preschool level. A discussion of this plan and its applicability to systems-change efforts in other states is included.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bricker, D. (1995). The challenge of inclusion. Journal of Early Intervention, 19, 179–194

Brotherson, M. J. , & Goldstein, B. L. (1993). Quality design of focus groups in early childhood special education research. Journal of Early Intervention, 16, 334–342

Fullwood, D. (1990). Chances and choices: Making integration work. Baltimore: Brookes.

Glaser, M. J. , & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine Press.

Guralnick, M. J. (1990). Major accomplishments and future directions in early childhood mainstreaming. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 10(2), 1–17

Krueger, R. A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

McLean, M. , & Hanline, M. F. (1990). Providing early intervention services in integrated environments: Challenges and opportunities for the future. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 10(2), 62–77

Miles, M. B. , & Huberman, A. M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

Morgan, D. L. (1988). Focus groups as qualitative research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

10.

Patton, M. Q. (1980). Qualitative evaluation methods. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

11.

Peck, C. A. (1995). Some further reflections on the difficulties and dilemmas of inclusion. Journal of Early Intervention, 19(3), 197–199

12.

Peck, C. A. , Furman, G. C. , & Helmstetter, E. (1993). Integrated early childhood programs: Research on the implementation of change in organizational contexts. In C. A. Peck , S. L. Odom , & D. D. Bricker (Eds.), Integrating young children with disabilities into community preschools: Ecological perspectives on research and implementation (pp. 187–206). Baltimore: Brookes

13.

Peck, C. A. , Hayden, L. , Wandschneider, M. , Peterson, K. , & Richarz, S. (1989). Development of integrated preschools: A qualitative inquiry into sources of resistance among parents, administrators, and teachers. Journal of Early Intervention, 13(4), 353–364

14.

Peck, C., Mabry, L., Curley, J., & Conn-Powers, M. (1993). Implementing inclusion at the early childhood level: A follow along study of 54 programs. Paper presented at the Annual Conference for the Division of Early Childhood, Council for Exceptional Children, St. Louis.

15.

Salisbury, C. L. (1990). The least restrictive environment: Understanding the options (Policy and Practices in Early Childhood Special Education Series). Pittsburgh, PA: Research Institute on Preschool Mainstreaming, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute

16.

Seidel, J. V. , Kjolseth, K. , & Seymour, E. (1988). The Ethnograph [Computer software]. Littleton, CO: Qualis Research Associates.

17.

Smith, B. J. , & Rose, D. F. (1991). Identifying policy options for preschool mainstreaming. Pittsburgh, PA: Research Institute on Preschool Mainstreaming, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute.

18.

Voorhees, M. D. , Landon, T. , & Harvey, J. (1995). Integrated placement options for preschoolers: A planning guide. Richmond: The Virginia Department of Education.

19.

Voorhees, M. D. , Landon, T. , & Harvey, J. (1997). Early childhood education. In L. Power deFur & F. Orelove (Eds.), Inclusive education: Practical implementation of the least restrictive environment (pp. 131–152). Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen

The Role of the State Department of Education in Promoting Integrated Placement Options for Preschoolers

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References