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

Preschool Improvement

Program Overview

Systems Innovation & Improvement and Professional Development: We have a highly accomplished team of early childhood special education experts, known for collaboratively crafting high-quality inclusion systems for preschool children with disabilities. Skilled in data driven strategic planning, evidenced based practices, instructional coaching, CLASS, and Pyramid Model, we are well equipped to support systems through collaboration with both district leaders and educators. We are dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of support for the development of every child, fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment.

Primary Areas of Focus:

Enhance development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPS)
Increase the percentage of children with IEPS in the regular preschool program as indicated by APR Indicator 6 data
Improve preschool outcomes as indicated by APR Indicator 7 data.

Preschool Improvement’s Impact

CLEE partners with school districts throughout Tennessee to foster inclusive and effective preschool learning environments for students with disabilities. We believe that the work we do will show an increase in educational environment (APR Indicator 6) and early childhood outcomes (APR Indicator 7).

Preschool Improvement 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).

Social Media

“The IEP training I received this year has helped me to gain a better understanding and grasp of how to focus targeted skills on our preschoolers. It gave me a clear insight into how goals, objectives, and service times should all intertwine and flow to the child’s learning within the classroom environment. This training helped me better understand that an IEP is not a one-size-fits-all all approach and it should be handled to fit each child’s individual needs. I really appreciate the time that Ms. Kerri took to help me this year, and I look forward to putting it in practice this upcoming school year.”

—Katie Burke, Special Education Teacher

“The UT CLEE has had a transformative impact on our school district. It has boosted teacher confidence in writing IEPs and shifted our mindset from compliance to intentional, student-centered planning. We’re now creating IEPs that genuinely reflect each student’s needs, using the tools and training provided. Collaboration with stakeholders has strengthened, and IEP development is now a shared, purposeful effort. While we still have room to grow, we’ve let go of a fixed mindset and embraced continuous improvement. Thanks to UT CLEE, our IEPs are clearer, more personalized, and more meaningful—for every student we serve.”

—District Leader

Preschool Improvement development session

Preschool Improvement staff working and smiling

Preschool Improvement

Program Overview

Preschool Improvement’s Impact

Social Media

Creating a world where all individuals thrive by transforming education and workforce development.