PRESCHOOL SCREENING
 

1.     What are the origins of preschool screening in Massachusetts?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a special education law and regulations commonly referred to as Chapter 766.  With the passage of this law, and the implementation of the regulations, public school systems became responsible for the education of all children, between the ages of 3 and 22, who have a disability which will interfere with their ability to learn.

            Chapter 766 provides for the free and confidential screening of all children between the ages of 3 years and the age at which each child would normally enter kindergarten.

2.     What is the purpose of preschool screening?

The purpose of preschool screening is to determine whether or not a child falls within the normal range of development for children of the same age.  Screening does not tell us whether or not a child has a disability.  It simply tells us which children should be referred for further evaluation.

            Children of ages 3 and 4 could qualify as needing special education because of temporary or permanent difficulties.  These difficulties could arise from many causes.  Children would be judged as needing intervention if it was deemed that they could not progress effectively in an appropriate educational program.

            Our goal is to ensure that each child start their school career with the best possible chance for a positive and successful school experience.  That is why it is important to know if a child should be referred for further evaluation, as early as possible.
 

3.      Which preschool children should be screened?

            Any child, from the time of their third birthday until the time that they enter kindergarten, can take advantage of this yearly screening.

4.     What is preschool screening?  

            Screening is a series of brief developmental assessments, which indicate whether or not a child falls within the normal range of development for children of the same age.

·       Speech – pronouncing or imitating words and sounds

·      Vision – seeing objects or symbols clearly

·      Language – using language to express what they think

·      Motor Development – performing tasks which require the use of large and small
muscle groups

·      Comprehension – understanding and following directions

·      General knowledge – remembering information which a
preschool child might be expected to know 

·      Social Development – making age appropriate social  decisions

          Children who seem to have difficulty in one or more of the above areas may, with parental permission, be referred for further evaluation.

          All tests are conducted by teachers and evaluators who are specialists in each area and who are certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to conduct these tests.