Recommended Practices: Where we are and Where we are Going

Where we are with the DEC Recommended Practices?

• Check out various Recommended Practices Products at the DEC online store
• Recommended Practices Training Package - we look forward to your feedback
• Creating Embedded Learning Opportunities Using the DEC Recommended Practices Webinar (available for online purchase soon).

Where are we going with the DEC Recommended Practices?

• Survey regarding the Recommended Practices completed by 65 members and 9 past authors. Another survey will be out soon...
• Information form the surveys were shared with an advisory group consisting of DEC members Judy Carta, Pat Snyder and Kathy Hebbeler and is guiding our next steps.
• A webpage has been started on the DEC website where members can track progress regarding revisions to the DEC Recommended Practices, provide input, and get involved. The URL will be shared in the coming week.
• Monthly blog entries on tips from the field and other members on how you can make the most of the DEC Recommended Practices...

March’s How to Use the RPs

Much of the educational field is evolving from the classic “sit and get” style of professional development into more ongoing, formative study to impact systematic change.  Here is one way that programs can meet more ongoing professional development through the use of the DEC Recommended Practices resources with added support from the Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series and the DEC journals of Journal of Early Intervention and Young Exceptional Children.

For professional development for an early childhood program, you can use the DEC Recommended Practices Workbook (http://www.dec-sped.org/Store/Recommended_Practices) as an individual or program self study.  Through your own knowledge or through a needs assessment, choose one “piece” either a strand or a topical area to evaluate.  Individual providers will rate themselves on implementation of each of the DEC Recommended Practices as identified in the strand or topic.  From this self evaluation, areas that can be improved upon will be identified.

Then, through individual study or through a Professional Learning Community among multiple providers, the Recommended Practices identified as areas of growth can be points of study.  Resources to provide material to study and recommendations for growth and change can come from multiple area:

1)      DEC Recommended Practices: A Comprehensive Guide for Practical Application provides examples of how each Recommended Practice can be demonstrated.  Additionally, each strand chapter has additional resources that can provide a variety of media where additional information can be sought. http://www.dec-sped.org/Store/Recommended_Practices

2)      DEC Recommended Practices Toolkit provides modules to improve practice in embedded instruction, systematic teaching strategies, teaching early communication skills and monitoring children’s learning.  All of which are directly linked to the DEC Recommended Practices. http://www.dec-sped.org/Store/Recommended_Practices

3)      Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series provides evidence-based practice articles that can be matched to the areas of study. http://www.dec-sped.org/Store/YEC_Monograph_Series

4)      Journal of Early Intervention and Young Exceptional Children provide a variety of journal articles that can be matched to the areas of study. http://www.dec-sped.org/Store/Journals__YEC_and_JEI_

Please note that all of the DEC Recommended Practices resources can be purchased as a set for a savings from purchasing them individually AND members get a discount!