ECSE Instructional & Location Coding
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is a requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for all children, including preschool children with disabilities. Because providing preschool classes is not a requirement for local education agencies, finding natural environments for preschool-aged children with disabilities to receive special education services can sometimes be a challenge for school districts.
LRE Solutions
Some possible solutions to this challenge include partnerships with Title I Prekindergarten programs, Head Start,
and community-based childcare facilities.
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Title I programs are open to students who meet the income guidelines for eligibility (students with disabilities who do not qualify can also be included if they do not take away a slot from an eligible student).
- Head Start programs have a mandate that 10% of the students they serve must be students with disabilities.
- Community-based childcare centers can enter into agreements with local school districts in which training, personnel, and equipment can be exchanged for slots and/or tuition for children with disabilities.
PEIMS Codes
The Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH) contains information, coding charts, and common coding examples that can be used to determine a student's appropriate ECSE coding. Refer to the ECSE section 4.9 Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Services for detailed information regarding ECSE services and eligibility, state funding, pre-K programs, kindergarten, community based preschool or child care facilities, private or home schooled students, and ECSE coding.
- Regular early childhood program and receiving the majority of special education and related services in the regular early childhood program; and
- Separate special education class, separate school, or residential facility.
- Receiving special education and related services in the home.
