About NPDCI

Proposed Work  

The National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI) will address policy needs, resource issues and practice concerns. The project has several unique features.

• It is based on a strong theoretical and conceptual framework.
• The work aligns professional development with standards and outcomes.
• NPDCI relies on an evidence-based practice approach.
• It serves as catalyst to bring together existing professional development initiatives.  

 Policy Needs

NPDCI provides technical assistance to help states align existing personnel standards from general and special early childhood education. The project collaborates with partners to identify core competencies that define highly qualified personnel who serve preschool children in inclusive settings and the family and child outcomes they are seeking to promote. These standards, core competencies and outcomes serve as the foundation for building, implementing and evaluating an effective cross-agency professional development system.

Resource Issues

NPDCI assists states in identifying and leveraging fiscal, human and material resources to develop an integrated, cross-agency State Plan for professional development. The project offers a wide variety of resources, ranging from a website to other products that can support states' professional development goals. Most professional development resources will be available via the NPDCI website.

Practice Concerns

NPDCI provides technical assistance to states on the most promising professional development approaches to improve teaching and intervention practice supporting inclusion.