A collage of images of job fairs and workplace development for educators

Preschool Access for ALL Learning Network (Preschool AALN)

Program Overview

The Tennessee Department of Education’s (TDOE) Preschool Access for All Learning Network (Preschool AALN) is focused on increasing inclusive, least restrictive environment opportunities for children ages 3 to 5 (not in kindergarten), increasing access to developmentally appropriate environments, and ensuring high-quality instruction for all students.

CLEE’s Role in Preschool AALN

Systems Innovation & Improvement: CLEE partners with the TDOE to drive systems innovation and improvement within the Preschool AALN. Since the inception of Preschool AALN, CLEE has managed this network by collaborating closely with TDOE to craft strategic plans, implement support, and oversee evaluation to ensure impactful outcomes for students with disabilities.

Professional Development: A cornerstone of our approach involves recruiting, hiring, coaching, and supervising Regional Access Coaches for Preschool AALN. These coaches play a pivotal role in coaching educators and district leaders, facilitating quarterly leadership walkthroughs to evaluate preschool programs, developing and facilitating ongoing professional development opportunities, and fostering professional learning communities within the districts we serve.

Teachers gathered for a Preschool AALN group photo

Event Planning and Management: Continuous professional development serves as a catalyst for improvement within Preschool AALN. CLEE provides all event planning and management within the network to ensure a seamless experience for all participants.

Preschool AALN’s Impact

CLEE has worked with 60 Tennessee school districts throughout Preschool AALN Cohorts 3.0-5.0. Our goal is to increase inclusive environments within preschool programs and ensure high-quality instruction for all students, specifically students with disabilities. We believe that the work we do will show an increase in the educational environment (APR Indicator 6) and early childhood outcomes (APR Indicator 7).

In Summer 2024, we trained 142 AALN team members and 612 preschool teachers, with 98% reporting improved understanding and skills to create meaningfully inclusive classrooms for preschoolers with disabilities.

Events

Coming Soon!

Preschool Access for ALL Learning Network (Preschool AALN) programs are currently available in the following Tennessee counties (counties in orange have programs; the darker the orange, the greater the number of programs in that county).

“Obion County Schools has moved from 30% in Indicator 6A for FY22 to 81% in FY25. With the support from the ALLN Grant opportunity and the Regional Access Coaches Amanda Mason and Megan Bennett, we were able to produce data showing the need for a new inclusive preschool classroom. One was added this school year! Also, with the professional development provided through CLEE, our five VPK classrooms have become more inclusive and are now serving more students with disabilities who are income qualified.”

—Alisha Hedge, Obion Special Education Supervisor