College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

The Renshaw Early Childhood Center (RECC), affectionately known as the Big Red School, proudly announces its recent accolade from the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES). The center has been honored with a national award in the category of Exemplary Special Education Programs: Infant and Early Education. This recognition underscores RECC's commitment to providing outstanding early intervention services for young neurodiverse children.

The award was accepted by RECC Director, Beth Schaeffer, at the annual conference held by the ACRES in Las Vegas, NV. This recognition not only celebrates the dedication and expertise of the RECC team, but also highlights the impact of their innovative approach to early childhood education.

Founded as a pilot project on the campus of Western Kentucky University (WKU) in 2003, the Renshaw Early Childhood Center has grown significantly over the years. What began as a modest endeavor serving 12 children per semester has evolved into a comprehensive center-based program catering to over 50 children each semester.

At RECC, certified teachers provide individualized intervention and instruction, targeting specific developmental goals for each child. The center offers evidence-based supports tailored to the unique needs of neurodivergent children, including those with mild speech and developmental delays, significant developmental delays, medical and physical needs, behavioral concerns, and autism spectrum disorder.

One of the most exciting developments for RECC has been its partnership with the WKU Center for Gifted Studies, providing additional targeted supports for students identified as twice exceptional. Furthermore, RECC has served as a model for replication in other communities, including Owensboro, Russellville, and Glasgow, Kentucky.

Through collaboration with multiple school districts and external agencies, RECC has expanded its service delivery to include parent coaching, teacher support and training, developmental screenings, referrals, and various outreach services. In a region where the availability of group services for children with developmental disabilities is disproportionately low, RECC stands out as a beacon of hope and support.

The commitment of Western Kentucky University and the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex (CEC) to provide RECC with state-of-the-art facilities fuels RECC's mission to prepare the next generation of professionals to uphold the same level of service and dedication.

For more information about the Renshaw Early Childhood Center and its programs, please visit https://www.wku.edu/earlychildhoodcenter.