Low Preschool Inclusion Rates: A Problem of Practice or Bad Data?

Time and Date

Overview

SPP/APR Indicator 6A data have not budged in decades. Is it true that there hasn’t been progress on inclusion for preschoolers with disabilities or are data quality issues preventing us from seeing progress? Although there has been considerable research regarding the importance of preschool inclusion, and we have made considerable progress regarding laws supporting preschool inclusion, Indicator 6A data show the preschool inclusion rates remain low. How much of the stagnation is due to lack of inclusion and how much is due to poor-quality data? We know that access to inclusive preschool environments remains elusive for many children with disabilities. We also know reported data may not accurately reflect where children are placed. Presenters explored solutions to promote high-quality preschool inclusion practices and methods to improve data quality for indicator 6A. Collectively, we dug deeper to understand the relationship between inclusion, placement practices, and quality data collection.  

Related Content

An IDC Resource

Format: Toolkits

Preschool Environments Toolkit

The Preschool Environments Toolkit provides materials and resources to help state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) collect, report, analyze, and use preschool environments data. State Part B data managers, 619 coordinators, local 619 personnel, technical assistance providers, and other interested parties can use the toolkit to help them report Educational Environments data for children ages 3 through 5 with disabilities enrolled in preschool and receiving services under Part B of IDEA. The toolkit includes materials related to IDEA Section 618 federal reporting requirements and populating Part B SPP/APR Indicator 6, and it offers a Preschool Environments Calculator and Data Analysis Tool to help states calculate and analyze Indicator 6 preschool educational environments data.