Early CHOICES at NIU: Championing Inclusive Education for Young Children

The NIU College of Education is proud to welcome back Early CHOICES, a transformative initiative dedicated to promoting inclusive education for children birth to age 5. Originally launched on campus in 1990, Early CHOICES is now revitalized through a Training and Technical Assistance grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, reaffirming NIU’s commitment to equity and excellence in early childhood education.

What is Early CHOICES?

Early CHOICES focuses on the “least restrictive environment” (LRE), a foundational principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The initiative supports school districts and early childhood programs in educating children with disabilities alongside their peers in general education settings. Through strategic collaboration and professional development, Early CHOICES has helped Illinois consistently exceed the national average for inclusive early learning since 2019.

What Early CHOICES Offers

• Individual program support to help districts and programs design action plans, increase inclusive opportunities for children with disabilities and improve outcomes for all preschoolers.
• Professional learning events, specific to inclusion birth to age 5, open to all Illinois educators, administrators and families, with continuing education credits available.
• Annual Summer Inclusion Institutes that bring together educators, families and administrators to explore inclusive practices and build stronger communities.

Leadership Rooted in Experience

Michelle Sands, assistant professor in NIU’s Department of Special and Early Education, now leads the project as principal investigator. She brings a deep passion for inclusive education and a vision aligned with the Early CHOICES mission: empowering families, teachers and programs to embrace high-quality, inclusive practices.

Ann Kremer, a proud NIU alumna and Early CHOICES project director since 2014, brings decades of experience and personal insight. Inspired by her son’s journey with Down syndrome, Kremer has become a national voice for inclusion, presenting at major conferences and serving on multiple leadership teams.

Building Bridges at NIU and Beyond

The return of Early CHOICES to NIU strengthens ties between the initiative and the university’s educator licensure candidates, offering guest lectures, collaborative projects and research opportunities. Sands and Kremer are actively exploring partnerships across campus and within the community to prepare the next generation of educators to teach all children inclusively.

Looking Ahead

With a rich archive of data and a legacy of impact, Early CHOICES is poised to deepen its research and refine its strategies. The team remains committed to long-term, systemic change—ensuring that inclusive education is not just a goal but a standard.

For more information or to get involved, contact Michelle Sands at msands@niu.edu or explore Early CHOICES, where you can join the mailing list to receive information on upcoming Early CHOICES events and new resources.