Alleghany pre-school undergoes changes

The Alleghany County Schools' pre-school program has undergone some changes recently, according to Janice Linker, who directs the program.

The program has expanded to include two classes at Sparta Elementary and one class at Glade Creek School.

Also, all classes are now using the "inclusion model."

The basic state and federal funding for preschool is to serve high risk children and those with specific developmental delays. Research shows, however, that young children progress and learn faster when educated in socially inclusive groups, according to Linker. "We decided to move ahead as a system to provide inclusive settings for our preschoolers," she said. "We began by exploring every possible resource and then pooling those resources to best serve our children."