The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education say 55% of preschoolers with disabilities receive special education services in classrooms separate from their peers.
In a joint policy statement, they called for more young children with disabilities to be included in high-quality early childhood education programs alongside peers without disabilities. They noted that the portion of preschool children with disabilities attending inclusive early childhood programs is largely unchanged over the past four decades.
The 68-page statement reiterates the expectations for inclusive early childhood settings for children from birth through age 5 and updates recommendations for state and local agencies charged with implementing or overseeing any early childhood education program, including Head Start, childcare, home visiting, preschool and public schools, as well as programs that provide early childhood special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Read more about the Departments’ concerns and access the policy report at this page.
.