Preparing Teachers for Inclusive Education: The Development of a Unified Teacher Education Program in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education

Abstract

Advocates of developmentally appropriate early childhood education are increasingly interested in promoting inclusive programs of early education and care for both typically-developing children and children with disabilities. The success of such programs is contingent upon the availability of personnel trained to meet the individual needs of children with a wide range of abilities. There is currently a scarcity of teachers who are adequately prepared to meet such a challenge. In this article, we describe the collaborative conceptualization and implementation of a preservice teacher education program in early childhood and early childhood special education in the Departments of Special Education and Instruction and Curriculum at the University of Florida. Processes of program initiation and development are delineated, and factors that have supported and challenged the program's success are described The successes and pitfalls outlined here can inform others seeking to meet the challenge of preparing teachers to work with young children with and without disabilities in inclusive settings.