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Early Childhood Special Education refers to individualized and specialized instruction for children with disabilities. To qualify for services, children must be between the ages of three and six, and have at least one of 13 disabilities as listed under the federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
No income guidelines apply to the Early Childhood Special Education Program. It is funded through local, state, and federal dollars.
Services:
Developmental Screenings and Evaluations
Specialized Instruction and Therapy
Parent Training and Support
Health Education and Consultation
Development of Individual Education Program (IEP)
Service Options:
--Outpatient therapy
-- Chit Chat Troup (meets 1/2 day/week for children who qualify for an IEP in the area of speech)
--Preschool classes taught by teachers certified in Early Childhood Special Education or Early Childhood Education (meets Monday-Thursday A.M. or P.M.)
--Consultation to community preschool settings
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Class Options for Children receiving Individual Education Plan Services
We have a number of different classroom options for Early Childhood Special Education: These class options are free to children who qualify for an Individual Education Program:
Transitional class for young three year olds: meets 2 days 8:15-11:15 or 11:45-3:15 with 8-10 children taught by a teacher certified in Early Childhood Special Education.
AM Class taught by a teacher certified in Early Childhood Special Education: meets up to 4 days, Monday-Thursday 8:15-11:15. 2-3 Community Friends provide modeling in language and social skills. 6-9 children have Individual Education Programs.
Smaller Integrated Class: meets 4 days Monday-Thursday 8:15-11:45 with breakfast or 11:45-3:15 with lunch. At least 50% of the class are typically developing. Class size 10-13.
Larger Integrated class: meets 4 days Monday-Thursday 8:15-11:45 or 11:45-3:15. Class has 17 children with a few children with an Individual Education Program. Breakfast or lunch is available for purchase (unless income eligible for free or reduced meals).
Chit Chat Troop: meets 1 day a week for 2 hours (A.M. or P.M.) for children with speech concerns only on IEP.
The law requires that we consider what is "least restrictive but most appropriate" when deciding the classroom setting for a child with an IEP.
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Free Developmental Screenings
Developmental Screenings are available for children ages 3 to 6 prior to Kindergarten age residing in the Bismarck school district. Screenings cover all developmental areas including motor, cognition, speech/language, and social/emotional development.
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