Assessing inclusion quality in early learning and child care in Canada with the SpeciaLink Child Care Inclusion Practices Profile and Principles Scale

Abstract:

The main purpose of this study was to examine the internal reliability and structural properties of the SpeciaLink Inclusion Principles Scale and Inclusion Practices Profile (recently combined in the SpeciaLink Early Childhood Inclusion Quality Scale 2009) as two new measures to assess inclusion quality, and to provide initial evidence of their validity. This technical report provides strong evidence for the utility and reliability of both SpeciaLink Inclusion measures when used together as measures of inclusion quality. Furthermore, both measures predict centre directors' global ratings of their centre's effectiveness in including children with special needs.