Innovative and Intentional Practices in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
The Innovative and Intentional Practices in the LRE Exemplar Lead(s) provide innovative and intentional classroom models and technical assistance for preschool continuum options in order to ensure that students found eligible for special education and related services have access to the LRE. These Exemplar Lead(s) have established programs in place that have provided positive outcomes for students and families.
Exemplar Leads for Innovative and Intentional Practices in the LRE
Sonoma County SELPA
Janel Plack is a Program Specialist at the Sonoma County SELPA and Charter SELPA. Janel has over 30 years of experience as a Special Educator. She has worked with student populations from infancy through adulthood as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Special Education Administrator, and Principal. Janel's greatest interest is with Early Childhood Education. She is a proponent of working as a team (family, staff, and administration) to support any and all students.
Bonita Unified School District
Taylor Smith is a Program Specialist with the Bonita Unified School District (BUSD) in San Dimas, California. She has more than 16 years of experience working in the field of special education, and holds both mild/moderate and moderate/severe teaching credentials. Taylor served on the BUSD preschool assessment team for 4 years and was the district’s Inclusion Specialist prior to becoming a Program Specialist for Elementary Programs.
Bonita Unified School District
Liberty Grammer has worked as a School Psychologist since 2009, joining the Bonita Unified School District (BUSD) in 2010. She has led the Preschool Assessment Team since 2012, working and collaborating closely with the BUSD team of specialists and providers in addition to community agencies including the San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center and Options for Learning Head Start in support of IDEA Part C to Part B assessments. Liberty has been instrumental in supporting the B.L.A.S.T. program (Building Lifelong Academic Skills Together), a preschool inclusion program in the BUSD that promotes inclusivity while teaching play and social skills, pre-academic skills, as well as adaptive skills to preschool aged children.
Innovative and Intentional Practices in the LRE Resources
Events
CalECSE offers Virtual Training Sessions on a variety of topics available at no cost.
Tools
This compilation of resources provides information and links for understanding inclusion and learning inclusive practices and strategies that can be used in the classroom to support of all young learners.
Our inclusive and innovative practice exemplars share evidence-based strategies for creating classrooms that support all early learners.
Overview Videos
Inclusive learning environments often support better outcomes in academics, social skills, behavior and self-advocacy for students with disabilities. In this video, CalECSE Exemplar Leads from Sonoma County SELPA and Bonita Unified School District discuss the positive impacts of inclusive learning and how LEAs create or adopt their own inclusive learning models, utilizing support from their SELPAs and other local and state resources.
Have you wondered what inclusion looks like in a preschool classroom? This video highlights a typical day in a Bonita Unified School District preschool classroom, which is part of its Building Lifelong Academic Skills (BLAST) inclusion program. Learn what makes this inclusion program successful and how LEAs can create and sustain their own inclusion programs to benefit young students with special needs.
Training
You will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of professionals including Education Specialists, Service Providers, Administrators, and others regarding inclusive practices, building inclusive programs, providing related services in inclusive settings, and more!
This professional development session is designed for elementary administrators, general education teachers and special education staff members who are navigating the new world of three and four year olds in Transitional Kindergarten
The Innovative and Inclusive Practices Exemplar Lead team discussed the development and implementation of an inclusive preschool program that is located in Southern California.
Outside Resources
California Department of Education Letter
