Kindergarten screening is a brief check of all kindergarten children in the areas of:
- personal and social development
- speech and language skills
- eye/hand coordination
- small and large muscle control
- hearing and vision
Most children develop in these areas at a rate which is within the typical range for their age.
Public Schools are required by Chapter 766 (Special Education Law) to conduct an annual screening of all Kindergarteners. The screening is free to all town residents. Screening helps identify young children who may require further evaluation to determine the need for specialized services. Children are screened during the fall of their Kindergarten year during the regular school day.
Kindergarten children are screened by certified school personnel who are trained in the screening process. The personnel include:
- Kindergarten teachers
- Resource teachers
- Speech and language pathologists
- School nurses
- Guidance counselors
- School psychologists
Parental understanding and awareness of their child is important. Parents will complete a questionnaire about their child’s developmental and medical history and review it with a Guidance Counselor or School Psychologist and a School Nurse. Any questions or concerns they may have about their child should be reviewed at the interviews.
Children are screened during the fall of their Kindergarten year during the regular school day. Parent interviews are conducted in the spring prior to their child’s Kindergarten entry. Interviews are by appointment at the same time as Kindergarten registration is conducted at the local elementary schools.
All parents are notified in writing of the results of the screening. In the vast majority of cases, they will receive the reassurance that their child is developing normally.
When the results indicate a reasonable likelihood that a child has a need for further evaluation, the school staff will contact the parents to discuss the results of the screening. Should the parents and school staff agree that more in-depth evaluation take place, then a referral for a special needs evaluation under Chapter 766 will be made. If a special need is determined by the evaluation, school staff will work with parents to develop an appropriate educational plan for the child.