R-2 Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services are provided for all children ages 3 to 5 with disabilities. The district is required by law to provide a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment for eligible students on their third birthday. The Jackson R-2 ECSE program is housed at South Elementary. Certificated staff work closely with families and community resources to enhance the learning of young children.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Eligibility for early childhood special education is based upon significant delays in development that affect the student’s educational performance. For children ages 3 to 5 (not kindergarten age eligible) children may be determined as eligible using any of the 16 disability categories including that of Young Child with a Developmental Delay, as defined in the Missouri State Plan for Special Education. To be eligible for services under the Young Child with a Developmental Delay, ALL of the following conditions are met: The student’s development is significantly below that of their peers. Significantly below is defined as performance at or below 1.5 standard deviations, or equivalent levels, of the mean in any of TWO developmental areas OR at or below 2.0 standard deviations, or equivalent levels, in any ONE area of development and the child needs special education and related services. Areas of development that can be used for eligibility determination include:
- Cognitive development
- Communication development
- Physical development
- Adaptive development
- Social or emotional development
The Jackson R-2 School District offers monthly screening to help parents determine if their child has developmental delays in any areas. During the screening process, Early Childhood staff will interview parents, observe the child and use developmentally appropriate screening tools to assess the child. If the screening indicates it is necessary to further evaluate, a team of professionally certified staff will conduct a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation. The staff will review the results of the evaluation with parents, and as a team determine if the child meets eligibility for services. If eligibility is determined, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed to determine the specific services the child will need. Parents are involved in each step of the process.
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACEMENT OPTIONS:
- EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTING
- EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION SETTING
- HOME
- PART TIME EC/PART TIME ECSE SETTING
- RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
- SEPARATE SCHOOL
- ITINERANT SERVICE OUTSIDE THE HOME
TRANSITION:
The transition process from First Steps to Early Childhood Special Education requires that the LEA be involved at least six months prior to the child’s third birthday. All evaluative/diagnostic procedures shall be followed in determining the student’s eligibility for ECSE services. The district is required to provide special education and related services as identified on the IEP as of the student’s third birth date unless the third birth date occurs during a normal vacation period. Children whose third birth dates are May through August may continue in the First Steps program until the initiation of the district’s school year at no cost to the parents. The Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) will terminate upon commencement of the school year. Children whose third birth dates are April 1 through May 1, may either transition to the district program before the end of the current school year or continue services in First Steps until the initiation of the district’s school year. Children who meet ECSE eligibility and enroll in the district for the remainder of the school year must be considered for Extended School Year as required by law. The district may document that it has made a diligent effort to complete the diagnostic and IEP process, but despite that effort, was unable to do so within the time lines.
For more information you may contact:
Dr. Beth Emmendorfer, Director of Special Services, 573-243-9501
Mrs. Carrie Holland, ECSE Coordinator, 573-243-9575