Inclusionary Practices

The Research-to-Action Grant for Inclusionary Practices projects makes funds available to ESD regional leaders and local school district teams to implement evidence-based practices in support of inclusive preschool environments. 

Project activities include identification and implementation of applied research strategies that address barriers to inclusionary policies, procedures, and/or practices. Teams explore potential opportunities to implement relevant early learning recommendations and braid funding as described in the Washington State Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan.

The State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) is Washington's plan for improving school district performance on the federally required program Indicator 6 (Early Childhood Least Restrictive Environment), Indicator 7 (Early Childhood Outcomes), Indicator 11(Timely Initial Evaluations), and Indicator 12 (Early Childhood Transitions).

Problem of Practice: Lack of access to inclusive, high-quality early childhood learning experiences with integrated SEL infrastructures children with disabilities contributes to opportunity gaps in social-emotional development as these students enter kindergarten. These opportunity gaps increase year after year, leading to more restrictive placements, less access to core instruction, increased achievement gaps, and poor post-school outcomes.

The NCPMI is an intensive Technical Assistance grant that was awarded to Washington state to support children, aged 3-5, in preschool settings with IEPs.

Washington State's vision is to successfully recruit, engage, and support a statewide network of program coaches to provide culturally-responsive, practice-based coaching with fidelity, through collaborative partnerships with practitioners. This vision is aligned with the commitment to increase opportunities for all children to receive high-quality, early learning services in inclusive environments.

NCPMI will support the collaborative agencies in creating a system and a model of sustainable professional development around the Pyramid Model to support implementation in the classroom, program, and systems level.