Skip top navigation
Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC)
Providing professional learning, resources, and technical assistance to educators

Early Childhood

To support Early Childhood Special Education leaders, providing services to children ages two to five, within the unified Early Childhood system.

ECSE TTAC coordinators are part of a statewide network that utilizes evidence-based practices to support special education leaders in building the capacity of early childhood programs, with a primary focus on the inclusion of young children with disabilities in educational environments with their non-disabled peers. Coordinators guide divisions to utilize data-driven decision making in a tiered support framework to improve outcomes for young children and their families. 
 
In the Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5), TTAC is recognized as an improvement partner. ECSE TTAC coordinators provide coaching in Early Childhood Special Education classrooms and inclusive classrooms to strengthen the quality of interactions between teachers and children with IEPs.

Inclusive Practices Technical Assistance

GMU TTAC coordinators support all Region 4 school divisions with data collection & analysis to make programmatic decisions around inclusive practices. The DEC recommended practices are integrated into the regional inclusion work. Coordinators also support divisions participating in the itinerant Community of Learning.   
 
TTAC coordinators provide more intensive technical assistance through the Improving Inclusive Practices & Outcomes for Preschoolers (IPOP) grant. IPOP is a systems change approach to support school divisions in the development, expansion, and/or improvement of inclusive placement opportunities for preschoolers with Individual Education Programs (IEPs). 

LEADS 

GMU TTAC maintains the Leadership in Effective and Developmentally-appropriate Services in Virginia ECSE (LEADS) initiative to support partnerships with early childhood special education to build and sustain capacity within a unified early childhood system. The goals are to connect, support, and empower local leaders to provide high-quality programs and services for children aged two through five with an IEP. 

VTSS 

TTAC works with VTSS systems coaches and partner school divisions to provide consultative early childhood support in implementing a multi-tiered system of support in preschool and elementary classrooms. 
 

VQB5  

In partnership with Ready Regions 7,8, & 9, GMU TTAC promotes the development of knowledge, skills, and practices to support the use of evidence-based practices to guide children’s learning. TTAC provides coaching in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classrooms where the majority of children have an IEP. TTAC also provides coaching in inclusive classrooms that serve at least one child with an IEP, and there is a specific need identified with providing high-quality teacher-child interactions with the child/children with IEPs.