"Through the policy statement we released, we aim to support and encourage States, early childhood
programs and schools, teachers and providers, national professional organizations, advocates, and
families to take action to expand access to high-quality inclusive early childhood programs for all
children. This policy statement is one effort in a series of Federal actions promoting the inclusion of
young children with disabilities in high-quality early childhood programs. The Departments intend to
work with our partners in the community to raise public awareness and identify resources to support high quality
programming and inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs."
The reason I found this interesting is because it raises the point of how important inclusion is for children. All children desire high quality education.The only part about inclusion is some children require more accommodations and who pays for these costs. Because inclusion is suppose to be not limiting do providers get reimbursed or is it on the parents? These questions were not addressed in the letter.
This research has lead me to understand that cost is not always the first subject that comes up. I read the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
POLICY STATEMENT ON
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS and no where did I see about cost and access. Yes we need inclusion but we need to make all type of education and care affordable. I know with my daughter I have to provide all the accommodating material for her at school. This is partly because it is a private school and they do not fall under IDEA. I do not understand this fact but it is true. So, when our legislation talks about inclusion it is for all public schools or public facilities. I have been doing quite a bit of research and I have not found where private schools or programs that do not take federal or state money that they have to comply with the law IDEA.
"Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, such as private schools,
private child care programs, or private preschools; regardless of whether an entity receives federal
funds"(US Department of Health and Human Services, 2015, p.3)
But the private schools do not have to provide accommodation they just can ask you to find another program or school
Reference
United States Department of Education (2015) Dear Partners Retrieved on February 12, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ecd/office_of_secretary_decision_joint_letter.pdf
US Department of Health and Human Services (2015) Education policy statement on inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs. Retrieved on February 12, 2016 Retrieved from www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ecd/policy_statement_on_inclusion_of_children_with_disabilities_in_early.pdf
Hello Charissa,
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I agree that inclusion itself provides high quality childcare. High quality childcare inclusion is accessible to all children and their families. In a high quality childcare, the staff believes in inclusion and their leadership also supports inclusion. It also ensures that all children, regardless of cast, need, religion, abilities, status and gender, all have access to the early childhood education program. Great insight, thanks for sharing!
Purvi
Hi Christela
ReplyDeleteThere is an ever-increasing number of infants and young children with and without disabilities play, develop, and learn together in a variety of places-homes, early childhood programs, neighborhoods, and other community-based setting. The DEC/NAEYC joint position statement offers a definition of early childhood inclusion. The definition was not designed not as a litmus test for determining whether a program can be considered inclusive, but rather as a blue print for identifying the key components of high-quality inclusive programs.
Here is a link about Early Childhood Inclusion-NAEYC http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/position/DEC_NAEYC_EC_updatedKS.pdf
Hi, I really loved reading your post. I love that the different links on the DEC website raises the point of how important it is for inclusion among children. All children, no matter what their circumstance may be, deserves the same education as others. They desire to learn, you are right, and should be given that opportunity to do so.
ReplyDelete