Provides information about effective and appropriate early intervention and preschool practices that are sensitive to and respectful of children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The bilingual (English-Spanish) web site is sponsored by the Early Childhood Research Institute on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), a federally funded collaborative effort of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Council for Exceptional Children, the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, and others. The web site contains information about CLAS, including its mission, goals, and staff and advisory board; an overview of key cultural barriers to effective interventions; access to publications aimed at service providers, administrators, and early childhood or special education practitioners, including review guidelines and technical reports; an on-line searchable database of educational materials and newsletters; and links to other professional organizations, early childhood research projects and institutes, clearinghouses, and government agencies. Visitors to the site also may fill in a detailed form to receive culture-specific information.
