Early Childhood Special Education: Transition to Kindergarten

Any student receiving early childhood special education services who will turn 5 by September 30 and will be of kindergarten age for the following school year is considered to be a transitioning early childhood student. The transition process begins in the fall when parents may attend a transition information meeting. Parents of children who will enter kindergarten in fall of the next school year who are seeking an initial screening after the beginning of the second semester will be referred by the Child Find offices to their neighborhood elementary school for consideration for eligibility for special education services. In the spring, teachers usually begin scheduling IEPs to support the transition to kindergarten. Typically, these IEP meetings will take place at your neighborhood school and include representatives from early childhood and the elementary school. The IEP team will determine the most appropriate school age services for the child. Children do NOT need to be “ready” to transition to kindergarten, as their school aged educational program will be designed to meet their individual needs. For more information about special education school aged programs click here.

 

Your Child’s Transition to Kindergarten FAQs

Who transitions- If your child turns 5 on or before September 30, he/she is considered a transitioning student and the process of transition to kindergarten is initiated.

Re-evaluation process- Every transitioning preschool child must be considered for re-evaluation. A triennial is conducted every three years. At times, children are dismissed from special education services at the end of preschool. “Developmental delay” may not be the most appropriate educational label for your child. There are thirteen areas of eligibility that can be considered.

How the transition process begins- The local screening committee schedules the IEP re-evaluation meeting. Those in attendance include, you, your child’s teacher, school psychologist, administrator, social worker and related service staff. At this meeting you will be asked to discuss your child’s strengths and needs. The school team members will also discuss your child and a decision will be made to determine if further testing is needed. Your input is critical for this process.

Re-evaluation Process- After you have signed consent for evaluations, your child will be assessed. Once the assessments are completed, you will be invited to a staffing where the results will be shared with you.

Eligibility Meeting- At this meeting, it will be determined if your child continues to be eligible for special education services. If your child continues to be eligible, the category (area of eligibility) will be determined.

Transition IEP Meeting- This meeting will be held at your child’s base school. If your child’s needs can be met through available services at the base school, the IEP will be completed. If your child requires services that are not available at the base school, the Procedural Support Liaison or other staff member will take you to visit a school site where those services can be observed. Once visits are made, the IEP team reconvenes to complete the IEP.

Resources- Your child’s teacher can provide you with suggestions in order to make the transition process more successful. Social stories, taking your child to the new school to visit and play on the playground, as well as to programs at your local library will help prepare your child and you for this transition.