Special Education

Eligibility as a Preschooler with a Disability

Preschool programs for children with disabilities are mandatory but not compulsory; that is, the schools must provide the programs for children who are eligible; however, parents are not required to have the child attend.


A preschool child with a disability means a child who:

1. Is 3, 4, or 5 years of age

2. Has a disability demonstrated by a documented deficit in one or more areas of development which has an adverse effect upon normal development and function.


Evaluation methods to document deficits are obtained by the following four methods of evaluations:

1. Structured interview

2. Structures observation

3. Standardized norm-referenced test

4. Criterion-referenced/curriculum-based assessments


A child is eligible for preschool special education if there is a documented deficit in one of more of the following areas:


A Evaluation Team Report (ETR) and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for students who meet the eligibility as a preschooler with a disability.


For more information about the Special Education Preschool Program, please contact Amanda Willing at 614-801-8448 or send and email to amanda.willing@swcsd.usÂ