Date Approved

8-8-2026

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

2025/2026

Abstract

Some general education teachers are not prepared to support the diverse needs of young students with disabilities being included in general education classrooms. Research shows that teacher preparation is a vital component to creating high-quality inclusive classrooms for young children. Preparing teachers for teaching in inclusive classrooms starts in college, and needs to continue throughout teaching careers to encourage and support the implementation of new strategies. Research also shows that training and preparedness for the challenges of working with students with diverse needs in the general education classroom affects staff attitudes and willingness to collaborate. The purpose of this project is to increase support for early childhood students with special needs by supporting teachers in building high-quality inclusive settings within the general education classroom. This project accomplishes this by offering a professional development training that can be used to prepare preschool general education teachers for teaching classrooms that include students with diverse needs. Provided in the appendices is an outline for the training that offers clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the general education teacher, strategies to help staff get started creating inclusive classrooms, and accompanying resources.

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