The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) conducted a needs assessment to understand and describe early childhood services for preschool-age children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in the state of Connecticut. In collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), NIEER developed survey…

Reports on the operation of the Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT) in Massachusetts. Implications for developing similar screening programs in Australia are outlined. (CM)

What is the best and most economic way to identify pre-school children with handicaps? This study measures the relative effectiveness of parent check-lists and minimal screening procedures. (Editor)

A comprehensive developmental screening model (CDSM) was designed to help local education agencies (LEAs), in Indiana, plan, develop, and implement screening programs for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. The CDSM is presented in three parts; Part I provides both empirical and philosophical support to the reasons for developing a screening program;…

The Vision In Preschoolers (VIP) Study, is a multi-phased, multi-center study designed to identify screening tests that best detect vision problems in preschool children. The VIP Study uses mobile medical units that are specially equipped to conduct vision screenings and eye examinations. Known as Vision Vans, these mobile units are staffed by lay…

This brief guide outlines best practices in preschool screening for the presence of possible disabilities. It covers: a definition of screening, its history, the rationale for screening, requirements for effective screening measures (reliability, validity, fairness, utility), models for preschool screening, evaluation of screening procedures, and…

This paper examines issues related to the screening and assessment of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities or at risk for disabilities, from families of various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. An introductory section outlines issues of cultural and linguistic competence and provides definitions of key terms. Interviews are…

Described in this manual is a five phase community-based planning process designed to assist local school districts in New Hampshire carry out an effective and efficient preschool screening program. The five phases which are simple, cost effective and can be implemented within a 6- to 9-month period are the planning phase, the training phase, the…

Guidelines are presented for incorporating screening and assessment into a sequential and comprehensive model of preschool intervention services. At-risk children who may receive intervention services and an ecological intervention model are described. Three categories of children may benefit from services of early intervention programs: children…

This manual on screening preschool children to identify their need for special education services presents key elements of an "ideal" screening program as well as practices to be avoided. Common barriers to implementation of each "ideal" practice are identified, and suggestions are provided for possible solutions. Topics covered include:…

Containing content and materials for 14 workshops, this training guide has been developed to assist Head Start programs in developing and implementing individual service plans (ISPs) for high-risk preschool children. Differing from the public schools' individual education programs, the ISP addresses all educational needs of the child as well as…

A 30-minute screening battery of tests and subtests selected from the complete 90-minute battery used in USOE Prekindergarten-Kindergarten research plus three locally developed instruments were identified as the most satisfactory single measures of cognitive, motor, auditory, visual, visual-motor coordination, and language development to provide…

The Philadelphia Prekindergarten Head Start program is a child development program for three and four-year-old children from low income families which stresses an interacting and multi-disciplinary attempt to improve the child's physical and emotional health, his family relationships, and his abilities to function better as a person. The program…