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Idea to send: |
| Topic | Early Childhood Special Education |
| Content | Oklahoma is an established national leader in early childhood education programs. By implementing progressive programs for Kindergarten and Pre-K, under the leadership of Sandy Garrett and the OSDE, Oklahoma has set the standard for educational programming for young children. During the 2007 legislative session, Oklahoma once again demonstrated its commitment and passion for its youngest citizens by appropriating funding to the State Department of Education to establish a Rise School in the state, to address the educational needs of young children with disabilities. The Rise School of Stillwater opened its doors on October 15, 2007. The Rise School has commenced on a multi-faceted mission to provide the state with a preeminent early childhood program that not only serves children of all abilities, but provides training for Oklahoma’s pre-service and career early childhood teachers while actively pursuing pioneering research in a various areas of need. The Rise School strives to thrust into the national spot-light as being the leader in providing quality early education of children with developmental disabilities, while preparing our early childhood teachers to work with children with developmental disabilities so each child will be able to grow, learn and mature to be as independent upon government support as possible and ideally to become taxpayers and have families of their own. In addition to the strong research component, the school focuses a great amount of its efforts and energy on the children and families being served by the school. The children receive developmentally appropriate instructional methods and early intervention therapy strategies integrated into their daily school routines. These services are individualized to the specific needs of each child so that each can achieve their fullest potential. Not only does this exemplary early childhood program with serve children with special needs and children who are developing typically, it also provides valuable training for Oklahoma’s future and present teachers. Teachers and students can observe and work with the children to gain first hand knowledge regarding best teaching practices in an inclusive classroom setting, which is required under federal law. The school will also work with the State Department of Education to deliver in-service training programs for teachers to receive continuing education regarding educating children with special needs in the least restrictive environment. This model will allow the latest, research-based concepts and methods to be assimilated into Oklahoma classrooms, thereby enabling Oklahoma to meet federal requirements, while providing future generations with the education they deserve. This is truly a momentous opportunity for the state of Oklahoma and its citizens to not only partake in an innovative, contemporary educational initiative, but take an active role in the quality of lives for future generations across the country.
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