Early Childhood Special Education
For Ages 3 through 5Early Childhood Special Education addresses individual needs within the context of developmentally appropriate early learning experiences including early literacy, math, play, and social areas. Preschool special education is a state and federally mandated program for children ages three through five who are experiencing challenges in their learning and development and meet eligibility criteria for special education and related services.
Every school district provides special education services to young children. Over 13,000 children in Tennessee receive individualized special education services each year as a part of IDEA 619 Preschool.
- Decision Tree for Reporting Educational Environments for Preschool Special Education Services
- Indicator 6: Preschool LRE FAQs
- Indicator 6: Preschool LRE Inclusive Classroom Models
- Indicator 6: Preschool LRE Data Collection Worksheet
- Indicator 6: Preschool LRE Data Collection User Guide
- Pre-K Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Community of Practice
- Checking APR Indicator 6 Data in the IDEA Child Count report
- Dear Colleague Letter on Preschool Least Restrictive Environment
- Dear Colleague Letter on Response to Intervention (RTI) and Preschool Services
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Policy Letter on Early Childhood Transition
- Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
- Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs – Executive Summary
- Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
For information about services for children ages birth through two, contact Tennessee’s Early Intervention System.
Contacts
IDEA Early Childhood Special Education Programming:
Assistant Commissioner of Early Learning
Misty Moody
(615) 626-1355
Manager of Early Childhood Special Education
Amanda Mason
(629) 259-0879