Preschool Special Education

Preschool Special Education Program: The Rowland Unified District provides special education programs for preschool age children from three years of age to four years nine months. The philosophy of the  program is that young children learn through  play, discovery, and active interactions in diverse environment and with other children. The emphasis is on a language based development model which emphasize meeting the developmental needs of the preschool special needs child within the whole child concept. The curricula of the preschool special needs child within the whole child concept. The curricula is designed to maximize the young child’s social cognitive language motor and independent skills in order to be successful, when appropriate within the regular education program upon reaching kindergarten age.

Carful attention is given toward important transition fro the young child. Transition may involve movement from an infant/toddler program to a preschool setting and subsequently to a kindergarten setting. It is the Special Education Department philosophy that early identification and intervention can significantly reduce the potential impact of presenting disabilities and positively influence later development upon reaching school age.

Procedures: Identification and Referral:

Search and Serve: Preschool age children may be referred for an assessment by a variety of resources including parents, local agencies, preschools, and community liaisons. Special Education staff in the Special Education office will take the information from the initial phone contact on the Outside Referral form. The coordinator of special education will assign the referral to either the preschool team or the appropriate specialist. Preschool specialist will initiate a contact with the parents or guardian to schedule
an assessment. The parent/guardian will receive a packet of information and forms to complete, prior to the preschool team assessment which will include the following documents:

• Home Language Survey

• Parents rights from 

• Assessment plan

• Development and Medical History form

• Additional documents may be sent to the parents/guardian as appropriate