Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center at Virginia Commonwealth University

Establishing an environment in early childhood classrooms that promotes effective teamwork and collaboration has been shown to significantly enhance student outcomes, particularly for those with complex needs. Exceptional education teachers are expected to collaborate with various providers to support the students they serve. Paraprofessionals play a crucial role as integral members of the educational team. […]

The world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. We now have access to cutting-edge high-tech options and personalized access methods like eye gaze and head tracking. However, the challenge remains – many teachers and even some therapists aren’t equipped with the necessary experience and training to […]

For every licensed educator, ongoing and continuous professional development (PD) is likely a requirement for recertification. Unfortunately, many educators do not buy-in to PD due to lack of choice, relevance, and the “sit and get” nature of many offerings (Kroeger et al., 2022). In their article, “Microteaching: An Opportunity for Meaningful Professional Development,” Kroeger et […]

Creating a high-quality early childhood setting is key to improving long-term outcomes for students with disabilities. Utilizing assistive technology (AT) ensures equitable access that supports children receiving services outlined in an individualized family service plan (IFSP) or an individualized education program (IEP) while serving as a bridge to enhance a child’s opportunities for meaningful participation […]

Take a minute to think about how an adult helps a child learn to ride a bike. He doesn’t put her on the bike and say, “There you go! Ride the bike!” Instead, he scaffolds the support in order to help her learn to ride her bike independently: The adult knew a gap existed between […]

Sometimes, preschool teachers can be so focused on the “what” of learning that they overlook the “how” of learning. As the school year begins and teachers are diving into newly-adopted curriculums, Virginia’s Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), and Kindergarten readiness assessments and instructional resources, it is important for teachers to refresh their knowledge of […]

In her TED Talk Every kid needs a champion, Rita Pierson asserted, “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” The importance of relationships and school connectedness is supported by research that shows belonging is an important protective factor. School connectedness can reduce risky behaviors, increase positive health behaviors, elevate grades and test scores, improve […]

Assistive technology (AT) offers a multitude of benefits across all age groups by fostering independence, supporting inclusion, facilitating friendships, and leading to improved overall quality of life. For young children, it facilitates opportunities for play, learning, friendships, and development by providing tailored educational tools, enhancing communication skills through augmentative and alternative communication, and enabling access […]

Are you looking for an easy and accessible way to learn new information and hear people talk about practices they are implementing to help students be successful? Listen to a podcast! Podcasts are audio recordings typically played on demand on your smartphone or computer (Prince, B.F., 2020; Tobin & Guadagno, 2022). The number of people […]

Each child is unique, and adapting strategies to individual needs is essential. Use these resources to create inclusive and supportive programs where all children thrive! 1. Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders  2. Policy Statement on the Inclusion of Young Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs  3. Building […]