Unpacking Culturally Responsive Practices in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

Serra Acar, Ph.D. received her doctorate degree from the Early Intervention Program at the University of Oregon in 2013. She is an associate professor in the Early Care and Education in Inclusive Settings (EECIS) program at the University of Massachusetts Boston and teaches courses on family systems, assessment, ethics, and introduction to research. Dr. Acar's primary research interests are culturally and linguistically responsive assessment and personnel preparation in early intervention/early childhood special education (EI/ECSE). Service to the field is an important part of Dr. Acar's work. She has served as the vice president of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). She is also an active member of DEC's International Committee. She received the Merle B. Karnes Award for Service to DEC in 2020. She is the recommended practices ambassador (aRPy) for Massachusetts and a higher education representative at the Massachusetts Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC). Dr. Acar is committed to inclusive early childhood education and is interested in examining the intersectionality of culture, language, and EI/ECSE systems. She is directing and codirecting several personnel preparation and research grants.