Programs and Informational
Links
Pemiscot County Special School District
1317 West Highway 84
Hayti, MO 63851
Phone: (573)359-0021
Fax: (573)359-6525
Early Childhood
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION
It is the policy of the State of Missouri that all children with disabilities, residing in the state are identified, located, and evaluated. School districts and other public agencies responsible for providing special education must offer a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to children who have been identified as eligible under the eligibility criteria outlined in the Missouri State Plan for Special
Education as early as a child's third birth date. Special Education and related services for pre-school age is referred to as early childhood special education.
Parents of children who are 3-5 years old or approaching age 3 who suspect their child may have a developmental delay or handicapping condition that may affect them educationally, may contact their local school district to make a referral for evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.
To be eligible for ECSE, preschool children must have significant delays affecting their educational performance in one or more of the following areas:
1. Cognitive/adaptive behavior
2. Speech
3. Language
4. Fine motor
5. Gross motor
6. Social/emotional/behavioral
Additional information on eligibility requirements for ECSE can be found in the State Plan for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Special Education School Improvement Program Review Standards.
Preschool-aged children who might need special education services are referred to PCSSD by the child’s local school district, either through the Parents as Teachers program or First Steps, a federal early-intervention program for children from birth to age 3 years. In addition, parents can make a referral. After a child is referred to PCSSD, the child is evaluated by PCSSD contracted diagnostic staff.
If it is determined that the child qualifies for special education services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is written. The IEP team, which includes the child’s parents, determines the best placement for the child and the level of services that the child needs.
It is the policy of the State of Missouri that all children with disabilities, residing in the state are identified, located, and evaluated. School districts and other public agencies responsible for providing special education must offer a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to children who have been identified as eligible under the eligibility criteria outlined in the Missouri State Plan for Special
Education as early as a child's third birth date. Special Education and related services for pre-school age is referred to as early childhood special education.
Parents of children who are 3-5 years old or approaching age 3 who suspect their child may have a developmental delay or handicapping condition that may affect them educationally, may contact their local school district to make a referral for evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.
To be eligible for ECSE, preschool children must have significant delays affecting their educational performance in one or more of the following areas:
1. Cognitive/adaptive behavior
2. Speech
3. Language
4. Fine motor
5. Gross motor
6. Social/emotional/behavioral
Additional information on eligibility requirements for ECSE can be found in the State Plan for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Special Education School Improvement Program Review Standards.
Preschool-aged children who might need special education services are referred to PCSSD by the child’s local school district, either through the Parents as Teachers program or First Steps, a federal early-intervention program for children from birth to age 3 years. In addition, parents can make a referral. After a child is referred to PCSSD, the child is evaluated by PCSSD contracted diagnostic staff.
If it is determined that the child qualifies for special education services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is written. The IEP team, which includes the child’s parents, determines the best placement for the child and the level of services that the child needs.
Parent Resources:
ParentLink
212 Whitten Hall
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
800.552.8522
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Early Childhood Special Education Division
573.751.0187
U.S. Department of Education
Council for
Exceptional Children
Division of Early Childhood
634 Eddy Avenue
Missoula, MT 59812-6696
406.243.5898
Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc.
2228 Ball Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
314.432.4330
First Steps: Missouri’s Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
SSD Contact: Julia Hillyer, 314.989.7941
Phone: 573-359-0245
Fax: 573-359-6525