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Department of Education, (Special Education) KS
The primary goal of the Special Education Services team is to provide leadership and support for exceptional learners receiving special education services throughout Kansas schools and communities.
Early Learning Services Unit
Located in the Special Education Services team, members of the Early Learning Services Unit have responsibilities including coordinating the many early childhood programs located in KSDE, providing Technical Assistance to early childhood personnel in programs across the state, and participating in meetings, coordinating councils, and conferences that occur across Kansas. Early childhood includes the continuum of birth to age eight (3rd grade).
The Early Learning Services Unit, through leadership and partnership, advances the provision of high quality early childhood and family services that result in the ability of all young children to succeed in school and life.
Programs/ Services:
Parents as Teachers:
Designed to provide children the best possible start in life. Using research based curriculum, parents are provided with the skills and knowledge they need to help them make the best decisions regarding their children’s education. The program includes personal visits, group connections, health, vision, hearing and developmental screenings, and supports family connections with other community services.
Kansas PAT is dedicated to providing high quality service delivery that meets national and state standards and is a nationally recognized evidence-based program. Research shows that parent education can be an important component in supporting and developing healthy relationships between children and their parents, setting the stage for strong families and children ready for success. Kansas PAT is a valued partner with other home visiting and early childhood programs working together to promote access to high quality services for children and families in their communities.
The program is available to any parent, including fathers, relatives as caregivers, and foster and adoptive parents, who has a child under the age of three and lives within a participating school district.
Early Childhood Special Education – (Section 619 of Part B of IDEA):
Section 619 of Part B of IDEA, defines the preschool program which guarantees a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities age three through five. Under this program preschool children who have disabilities are entitled to Special Education and Related Services in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
The IDEA Preschool Program (Section 619) supports education services for young children with disabilities when they turn 3. It addresses individual needs within the context of developmentally appropriate activities, including early learning experiences in language, pre-reading and writing skills, play, and other social emotional areas.
Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA):
The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, ages birth through age 2 years, and their families.
Pre-K Program:
The Pre-K program was moved to KSDE in May of 2008 by legislative action. Formerly, it was administered by the Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. This purpose of this program is to promote school readiness through preschool experiences that are community-based (school, center, Head Start) and that are high quality. The current year has Pre-K Pilot sites in 14 counties with 12 different Pre-K Sites (one is multiple counties).
The Pre-K Pilot outcome is: children enter school ready to succeed. The framework of the grant is that the proposal reflects community planning and input with proposed strategies representing research and evidence-based practices in early childhood care and education.
4-Year Old at Risk:
The purpose of the Four Year Old At-Risk is to provide a high quality early learning environment that will improve child skills and knowledge and support school readiness and school success for young children as they enter kindergarten. OUTCOME: Children will enter school ready to succeed.
Please visit our website or Contact us for more information:
Special Education Team:
Special Education Team Contacts
Early Learning Guidelines & Standards
No Child Left Behind State Coordinator:
Title Programs and Services
Interim Director- Howard Shuler
Phone: (785) 296-3069
Fax: (785) 296-5867
Email NCLB Coordinator
KS Department Of Education:
