Three weeks since its implementation, Bradfield Elementary's Pre-K Partnership program is turning out "beautifully," according to principal Christine Brunner.
The program, which combines special education pre-k students and their typically developing peers into one class, was the brainchild of Highland Park ISD's Director of Special Programs Kami Burns.
"Kami Burns has had this vision for at least two years — wanting to extend inclusion opportunities to preschool students," Brunner said. "This was a chance for us to follow through on the extensive research that tells us it is so good for both groups of students to be together in the same instructional environment."
Brunner said Rosemary Coursey, the program's instructor, is the perfect teacher for the class. Coursey has experience with providing the type of inclusion opportunities that Bradfield Elementary is offering.
With excitement among educators and administrators, the only thing left to do was take the program to the parents.
"We had a parent information night, and we didn't know if it was going to be well received or not," Brunner said. "But we had an immediate response from parents and had to put people on a waiting list. This is an opportunity that is not only exciting for us but for parents of both halves of the classroom. We know it is wise to start small, but we are hoping to expand this program to our other pre-k classes in the future."
According to Texas Project FIRST, children with disabilities should be placed to the fullest extent possible in the same setting as students without disabilities. It is often appropriate for special education services to be delivered in a regular classroom, where children have the advantage of same-age language and behavior models and the opportunity to develop friendships.
"Years and years ago, there was such a stigma surrounding special education," Brunner said. "We know now that we are all different in some way. And one of the things this program does is allow children at an early age to be tolerant and accepting and have that understanding that it's wonderful to persevere — but it's OK to struggle."
Brunner said during the program's first few weeks the instructors and students were able to celebrate and be a part of watching a 4-year-old take her first steps.
"One student may struggle to walk down the hall, while another student struggles with the alphabet, but with this program those students get to share in their perseverance and celebrate peer successes together — and it is an amazing thing when that happens," she said. "This has worked so beautifully, and it is truly providing such a wonderful opportunity for all of the students."