1. Educational Environments Data Collection for Children Ages 3 through 5 RI Department of Education August 22, 2006

2. Legislative Requirements IDEA 2004 Sec 618 (a) In GeneralEach State that receives assistance under this part….shall provide data each year to the Secretary of Education and the public on the following: –(1)(A) The number and percentage of children with disabilities, by race, ethnicity, limited English proficiency status, gender and disability category, who are in each of the following separate categories: –(i) Receiving a free appropriate public education –(ii)Participating in regular education –(iii) In separate classes, separate schools or facilities, or public or private residential facilities.

3. Free Appropriate Public Education – Least Restrictive Environment Sec 300.114 (2) Each public agency must ensure that (I) To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled; and (ii) Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

4. State Performance Plan Indicator #6 Monitoring Priority: Preschool LRE Percent of preschool children who receive special education and related services in settings with typically developing peers (e.g., early childhood settings, and part-time early childhood/part-time early childhood special education settings) Target: 2006-2007 72% preschool children who receive special education and related services are served in settings with typically developing peers

5. Early Childhood Regular Education Settings/Programs Definition: For children 3-5 years of age 1. Early Childhood Program. A program that includes at least 50% nondisabled children. Head Start Kindergarten Private Preschool Early Care and Education Center Integrated Preschool within School District

6. Early Childhood Special Education Settings/Programs Definition: 2.Special Education Program. A program that includes less than 50% nondisabled children. Special Education Classrooms Separate Schools Residential Facilities 3.Home. If the child does not attend a regular early childhood program or special education program and receives any of his/her special education services in the home.

7. Reporting Guidelines for Early Childhood Regular Environments If the child attends a regular early childhood program, as defined earlier, report child in one of the early childhood regular environments even if the child receives special education in other environments Attendance at an early childhood program need not be funded by IDEA Part B funds Maximum reporting hours per day =5.5 Maximum reporting hours per week=27.5

8. Data Collection Timelines Beginning September 1, 2006: All students with IEPs in place at the beginning of the school year and all IEPs developed after September 1, 2006. District Report to RIDE First data collection point: December 1, 2006 Census Collection Second data collection Point: June 2007 Census Collection RIDE report to OSEP January 2007

9. Suggested Best Practice Early Childhood Coordinator or service provider contact families of children 3-5 years of age who have IEPs in place September 1, 2006 in order to complete section #38 EC Data Collection. For IEPs developed after September 1, 2006, IEP teams complete section #38 EC Data Collection.

10. Examples

18. www.ride.ri.gov www.ritap.org