Date Approved

8-1-2025

Graduate Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Education-Instruction and Curriculum: Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

College of Education

First Advisor

Sherie Klee

Academic Year

2024/2025

Abstract

This project addresses the ongoing need for high-quality professional development that equips early childhood educators with effective strategies for inclusive education. Research consistently demonstrates that inclusive settings benefit both students with disabilities and their typically developing peers, yet many educators report a lack of confidence, training, and support when implementing inclusive practices. Grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and informed by federal legislation such as IDEA and ADA, this project presents a professional development toolkit designed to support preschool through second-grade teachers in creating accessible, responsive classroom environments.

The toolkit consists of a 90-minute training session, printable planning templates, family engagement resources, and progress monitoring tools. Its design reflects current research on inclusive instructional strategies, environmental modifications, and culturally responsive communication. Each component of the toolkit is aligned with findings from a comprehensive literature review, which identified both the benefits and barriers to inclusive practice, as well as evidence-based methods for overcoming those challenges.

Evaluation measures include pre- and post-training surveys to assess participant growth in knowledge and confidence. Feedback from participants will be used to refine the materials and improve implementation fidelity. Ultimately, this project aims to equip educators with practical, research-based tools to foster equity and inclusion in early learning environments. The toolkit is adaptable across various school contexts and intended to be shared with colleagues through professional learning communities, in-service training, and graduate-level coursework.

Download

Share

COinS