Three Meaningful Standards of Excellence from DEC

• Before we can support a child in overcoming his/her challeges, each early childhood educator needs to make a commitment to building on each child's strengths and learning styles. "We shall use individually appropriate assessment strategies including multiple sources of information such as observations, interviews with significant caregivers, formal and informal assessments to determine children’s learning styles, strengths, and challenges."
• Children with special needs can be our most vulnerable population, keeping up on research and best practice is needed to support children and families. "We shall engage in ongoing and systematic reflective inquiry and self-assessment for the purpose of continuous improvement of professional performance and services to young children with disabilities and their families."
• When families are thriving they are able to be educational advocates for their children.  As a professional in the field of early childhood education I am commited to building trusting relationships with all children and families I work with.  "We shall recognize and respect the dignity, diversity, and autonomy of the families and children we serve."

Reference: http://www.dec-sped.org/uploads/docs/about_dec/position_concept_papers/Code%20of%20Ethics_updated_Aug2009.pdf