Call for Manuscripts: DEC Recommended Practices Monograph Series No. 9 Leadership

The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC) will publish its ninth monograph in the DEC Recommended Practices Monograph Series in 2022. The topic of this monograph is Leadership. Early intervention providers, early childhood special educators, and early childhood educators (EI/ECSE/ECE) play an instrumental role in improving outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. However, it is well known that the ability of practitioners in delivering these key supports is supported or constrained by systems, agencies, and organizations. Hence, to optimize outcomes for children and families, “leaders have a professional responsibility to use all the mechanisms within their control to create the conditions needed to support practitioners in implementing the following Recommended Practices” (DEC, 2014, p. 6). DEC defines leaders as “those in positions of leadership or authority in providing services to all young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays/disabilities and their families. Examples of such leaders include state, regional, and local administrators; early childhood coordinators; building principals; and assistant directors and coordinators”. Fourteen leadership practices are included in the DEC Recommended Practices to guide leaders to create a culture and climate of belonging, to advocate for policies and resources, and to promote efficient and effective service delivery systems. Additional information about the practices including a glossary of terms and examples of each practice, can be found here.

With this Leadership monograph, we are interested in contributors committed to sharing leadership practices, strategies and skills that proactively dismantle barriers historically faced by children with disabilities, their families, and people of the global majority. The global majority includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Read the full call for manuscripts, author guidelines, and more here.

DEC recommends authors complete the Intent to Submit form by September 15th, 2021 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Clarification: If you have not completed the intent to submit form, we still invite your manuscript! The intent to submit form supports the editors in their estimation of the breadth and depth of manuscripts, but all manuscripts are welcome whether the editors have been notified of their submission in advance or not.

Manuscripts are due here by Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.