Prekindergarten Special Education Classes in U.S. Public Schools. Synthesis Brief.

Overview & Synopsis

The National Center for Education Statistics conducted a survey of 1,843 public elementary schools that focused on both general education and special education prekindergarten characteristics of the students, classes, personnel, funding sources, and support services. This document summarizes findings relating to prekindergarten special education classes for students with disabilities. Findings indicate: (1) 20% of schools offered general education prekindergarten classes only, 8% offered special education prekindergarten classes only, and 8% offered both general education and prekindergarten classes; (2) the average number of children in prekindergarten general education classes was 17 compared with 9 children per class in prekindergarten special education classes; (3) large public elementary schools were more likely to offer prekindergarten special education classes; (4) public elementary schools in the southeast were more likely to offer prekindergarten special education classes; (5) schools where minority enrollment was 21% or higher were more likely to offer prekindergarten special education classes; (6) overall, 30% of children enrolled in public elementary school prekindergarten classes had individualized education programs (IEPs); and (7) schools with the lowest poverty rate served a higher proportion of prekindergarten children with IEPs than schools with the highest poverty rate. (CR)