The Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE-OSE) is striving to provide support and services for state early childhood staff that gives them the confidence and competence to serve every child who enters their program. This project has an intentional focus on students who are IEP eligible and/or those who exhibit challenging behaviors having meaningful access to high quality preschool experiences. Participating classrooms will be provided with professional learning experiences regarding evidence based inclusionary practices and site coaching to support implementation. By submitting an application, the regular preschool program and the early childhood special education program providing services for children with IEPs agree to implement the practices with fidelity, attend scheduled meetings and promote access and support of ALL preschool-aged children in the program.

Click HERE to access the BASIC Project website.

Children with Disabilities and Unique Learning Needs

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs are responsible for ensuring that a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is available and provided to all children with disabilities ages 3-5 in Arkansas. Children with disabilities and/or challenging behaviors may be eligible to receive support in this area. Consider if you have a child who:

• Struggles with learning in the classroom
• Has delays in communication, cognition, motor, social and emotional, and/or adaptive skills
• Is immediately harmful to the child and/or others,
• Interferes with self or others’ ability to learn and play, and/or
• Struggles to control impulsive behavior.

Are you a parent or classroom teacher with concerns about a possible developmental delay or challenging behavior?

Please contact your local early childhood program coordinator for information.

• Local EC Coordinators

Are you an early childhood or early childhood special education staff member who has a child with challenging behaviors?

Children with challenging behaviors in the preschool setting can create special barriers to providing consistent daily routines. Early childhood special education providers can provide resources and/or coaching and direct support for classroom teachers who may be unsure of next steps in supporting these children. There are a few resources that early childhood special education providers can consider when a teacher requests assistance.

• Make sure the classroom staff is aware of the G.U.I.D.E. for Life Pre-K Edition and the expectations in each of the five principles.
• If the child in question has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the early childhood special education teacher can consider if a Functional Behavior Assessment is warranted and consider adding a Behavior Intervention Plan to the child’s IEP.
• Whether or not the child has an IEP, the program staff or IEP team could consider making a referral to Behavior Help. This process involves onsite observations and support for the classroom staff in supporting the child.
• Visit the BASIC Project Website for evidence-based strategies to support ALL children in the classroom.