David P. Lindeman, Ph.D.

(March, 2008) The Early Childhood Leadership Project is designed to provide support and enhance the leadership provided by the Kansas State Department of Education through a variety of activities while specifically addressing the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education requirements related to the early childhood special education indicators. This project will collaborate with the Kansas Inservice Training System through the provision of data analysis, development of required reports, training and technical assistance, and development of guidance materials related to the Kansas State Department of Education’s State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR). Specifically, project staff will support focused monitoring through data analysis, targeted training and/or technical assistance, support development of the APR, provide technical assistance support to LEAs/Districts with TIP applications to meet the early childhood indicators, collaborate with KSDE through representation for the development of the Regional Professional Learning Communities with a focus on the early childhood community, development of informational and guidance materials, dissemination of information regarding the project to LEAs/Districts, and development of plan for application of the CLASS Assessment Tool for early childhood special education programs as an indicator quality services for young children with disabilities paired with identification of programs in need of support and areas of support needed. The training and technical assistance for staff development will coincide with the levels of need and support as identified by KSDE for an LEA or District.  These three levels are: Level 1-Proactive/General Issues Staff Development, Level 2-Focused Staff Development, and Level 3-Intensive Staff Development. The primary person on the project is Dr. Margy Hornback.