While the national growth of interdisciplinary early childhood education (ECE) and early childhood special education (ECSE) teacher preparation has been documented, research into these programs is scarce. This study was conducted to gather graduates' perceptions of their preparation in a statewide system of ECE/ECSE interdisciplinary teacher preparation programs. A southeastern state implemented the new approach to preparing teachers to work with infants, toddlers, and young children with and without disabilities, and their families, in 1992. As one of the first stand-alone blended teacher preparation licenses, the Birth through Kindergarten license in this state is a competency-based approach to licensure combining the NAEYC and DEC preparation standards. A mail survey of graduates from seven state- and NCATE-approved blended programs was conducted during the first year of employment. Participants were asked to rate their preparation in state licensure competencies. Perceived strengths were higher in areas of general early childhood and child development than in areas specific to early childhood special education. Graduates reported a need in the preparation programs for more content and application in areas including working with families, behavior analysis, and working with children who have moderate to severe disabilities.

Naturalistic instruction procedures have broad philosophical and practical appeal and have been embraced with enthusiasm by many who teach about or practice early intervention. While there is general agreement that a number of intervention procedures may be characterized as naturalistic and there is empirical evidence to substantiate that many have been effectively applied, a number of research issues must be addressed if practitioners are to apply the results. Issues associated with definition of procedures (independent variables) and outcomes (dependent variables) confound the translation of research into practice. This article raises these issues and suggests guidelines for describing independent and dependent variables that might better enable practitioners to apply research in their work with young children with disabilities and with families.

This replication study focused on the effectiveness of two different intervention approaches, activity-based intervention and embedded direct instruction, on the acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of phonological awareness, a key area of emergent literacy, by preschool children with language delays. Five male preschool participants with language delay were treated with a modified alternating-treatments design. Embedded direct instruction was more effective and efficient in the acquisition of phonological awareness skills for preschool children with language delays. Embedded direct instruction was also more effective in the generalization of emergent literacy skills to probe generalization sessions, as well as in the percentage of maintained skills. Preschool children who are at risk of acquiring foundational skills necessary for the development of conventional literacy would benefit from an explicit, systematic instructional approach. Embedded direct instruction provided the structure necessary to promote effective and efficient acquisition of skills, as well as generalization and maintenance of learning.

Problem-based learning and civic engagement are complementary constructivist andragogical approaches that emphasize active learning by guiding students to develop their own understanding and knowledge of a topic through experience and reflection. By providing examples of clinical cases and community-based experiences, these approaches can enhance and expand the sociocultural perceptions of the students, while also allowing them an opportunity to develop the valuable interprofessional skill of collaboration. This article introduces the reader to these two andragogical approaches, and argues that, when implemented concurrently, these approaches are ideal for undergraduate students completing communication sciences and disorders degrees. These teaching methods provide students with an opportunity to cultivate a professional identity, and by assuming responsibility for their own learning, begin to develop research and clinical skills.

Alternative assessment approaches to standardized, norm-reference tests are increasingly recommended as best practice for assessing young children, especially those from minority backgrounds. This article discusses the cultural biases of traditional assessment approaches used with preschool- and kindergarten age-children, arguing for the need to broaden assessment practices to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Four alternative approaches are described that can be integrated into everyday routines and can draw on the observations and interactions with children and families. These approaches are discussed in terms of their relevance to children and families with vastly different backgrounds within a transdisciplinary framework. Recommendations are provided for professionals who wish to adopt these approaches.