Hello Friends,
This is my first post, ever! Although I may not be qualified to answer this question, I would like to add comments from my experience.
I've worked in ECSE, T-K, and integrated preschool classrooms for the past 18 years. I am now a college instructor for pre-service teachers. I tell my college students that as an ECSE teacher, I believe the biggest struggle I faced in determining staff ratios in an integrated program was considering what percentage of the class was on IEP's and making sure the IEP's were implemented correctly. The IEP's need to be written well and read carefully, ensuring that assistance is provided as described... not too little and not too much. Teachers and parents need to be advocates for keeping the ratios at a level that is appropriate.
Thank you,
Heidi
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Heidi Douma, BS,MA
Instructor in Elem. Ed., Spec. Ed., & EC Ed.
Director of Northwestern College BAEC Online Degree Program
Orange City, IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-11-2018 07:43 AM
From: Cindy Croft
Subject: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms
Hi Paula, this is Cindy Croft and I work with the Center for Inclusive Child Care in MN. In rule 3 programs in MN, it doesn't matter if the programs serve children with disabilities when it comes to ratios. It is assumed that all programs in rule 3 and rule 2 are inclusive because of the Americans with Disabilities Act. But to your point, the number of children with a disability or on an IEP does not change the ratio, it still by age.
I do not know what or if there is a ratio in the ECSE preschool classrooms operated out of the school districts.
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Cindy Croft
Center for Inclusive Child Care
Saint Paul MN
Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2018 06:29 AM
From: Paula Salmela
Subject: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms
Hello,
I know that in Minnesota, when you have a mixed age group, you are supposed follow the ratio for the youngest children in the group. I do not know if there are guidelines for inclusion classrooms.
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Paula Salmela
Cold Spring MN
Original Message:
Sent: 06-09-2018 09:05 AM
From: Kathleen Bischoff
Subject: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms
Hi All,
I teach in a public school in an integrated preschool classroom. The students in my classroom are 3-5 years old. I am looking for information to determine the correct student staff ratio. I have researched and have not found a definitive answer which addresses the multi age and combination of peers and students with special needs. Any thoughts or directions would be helpful.
Thank you!
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Kathleen Bischoff
Bethel CT
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