71°
The program, called "Improving the Preschool Classroom Environment for young Children with Disabilities," is run by the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs.
As part of the program, Lyndhurst School District will be assigned a state "coach" who will do an evaluation of the preschool classroom being used in the pilot program at the beginning of the new school year, according to Lyndhurst School District Supervisor of Special Services Sharon King Dobson.
The coach will evaluate the classroom room using the "Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale" and then use the results to create an action plan for the district, Dobson said.
Dobson and Karen Hermann — the lead teacher for the program — will attend training sessions throughout the school year to learn about state requirements and best practices in areas related to the preschool environment.
Some of the things Dobson said they will be instructed on include space and furnishings, personal care routines, language and literacy, learning activities, interaction and program structure.
Dobson and Hermann will then implement improvements into the "model" classroom based on what they have learned, Dobson said.
At the end of the program, Hermann will use what she has learned to instruct other teachers in the district, Dobson said, adding that Lyndhurst is the only school district in Bergen County selected to participate in the pilot program.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lyndhurst and receive free news updates.
