The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has developed recommended practices for the ECSE field in the area of personnel preparation. This book provides guidance to higher education faculty and professional development specialists on how these recommended practices can be implemented in preservice and inservice programs. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to seven recommended practices. Chapters 2-8 each focus on a single category of the recommended practices. Case studies from across the U.S. are included as examples of how each category might be implemented. Chapter 9 discusses challenges to the implementation of these practices. Appendix A contains a "Self Assessment Checklist" for programs to assess the extent to which the recommended practices are addressed by the structure and activities within their program. Appendix B contains the "Personnel Preparation Action Planning Form," which is designed to be used in conjunction with the checklist for developing a plan of action for inclusion of additional recommended practices into the program. Each chapter contains a comprehensive list of references. (SG)