Policy and Position Statements on Inclusion

The federal resources are intended to clarify the intent of the IDEA and explain regulatory requirements. Resources from national professional organizations offer recommendations for high quality practices and define characteristics of inclusion. These include a key policy letter and position statements and guidance pertaining to the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood settings.

See also: Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood

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Federal Policy Statements

The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released joint guidance detailing the legal foundation, evidence-based practices, state and local level infrastructure recommendations, and resources to support inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs. The departments also released a joint policy statement and letter on preventing the suspension and expulsion of young children from early childhood settings.

• 2023 Policy Statement: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
• 2015 Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
• 2014 Letter on Expulsion and Suspension
• 2014 Policy Statement on Expulsion and Suspension Policies in Early Childhood Settings

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Federal Policy Letters and Guidance

The Office of Special Education Programs provides updated guidance on regulatory requirements, preschool placement options, data reporting for educational environments, and use of IDEA Part B funds for preschool children with disabilities.

• 2017 Dear Colleague Letter on Preschool Least Restrictive Environments

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Position Statements from Professional Organizations

National professional organizations provide position statements to recommendations on desired practices describe characteristics and defining features of high quality practices for young children and their families, including children with disabilities.

• Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8 (2009, NAEYC)
  • Spanish Edition: Práctica Apropiada para el Desarrollo en Programas para la Primera Infancia para la Atención de Niños desde el Nacimiento hasta los 8 Años de Edad
• Early Childhood Inclusion: A Joint Position Statement (2009, DEC/NAEYC)
  • Executive Summary: Early Childhood Inclusion: A Summary
  • Spanish Edition: La inclusión en la infancia temprana

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Tools

ECTA Center's Considerations for Developing State Policy and Guidance on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (2017) is based on the recommendations in the 2015 Joint Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs, and can help states develop the policy and guidance needed to implement high-quality inclusive practices across early care and education programs.

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