A new report from the Oregon Department of Education shows progress, as well as a lot of work to do, in creating more inclusive learning opportunities for preschool children with special education needs. Clackamas ESD has been a leading partner in the Oregon Early Learning Inclusion Initiative, and has a strong, long-term track record in this work. We’re helping Clackamas County serve more children compared to other regions of the state. In addition to providing special education services to many of our Head Start to Success students, we’re engaged in multiple partnerships that are moving the needle forward on supporting our earliest learners. A few examples:

  • Sunshine Preschool Promise program in Milwaukie, where we help serve children directly and provide extensive professional development support to staff
  • Gladstone Center for Children and Families, where we are one of the founding partners and provide comprehensive early learning services
  • Stafford Primary School in West Linn, where we co-teach a preschool and provide support to students with special education needs

Oregon’s lack of universal access to preschool is a challenging barrier to expanding support to early learners, but we stand ready to serve more students and embrace new partnerships. If you’re interested in discussing how we can collaborate with you to address special education needs with preschoolers in your district or community, please contact Sara Snow, CESD assistant director of early childhood special education.