Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Children come into the world with a genetic makeup and temperament that is amazing to watch unfold. Early childhood development is a dynamic interplay between a child's physical characteristics and interactions with people and objects within the environment. This relationship between the brain, body, and environment influences a child's development in all areas. Early intervention helps identify any difficulties or delays in the developmental process and intervenes at the very earliest stages to help a child progress to his or her full potential.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services are available to students in Bloomington from age birth through seven. While students within this age range typically qualify for services under the Developmental Delay category, eligibility can be based upon having a disability that falls under one of the other 12 areas described in Minnesota special education regulations.

Bloomington Public Schools offer a wide array of ECSE services. Services are determined by the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) team, and are based upon the student's unique needs. ECSE services generally fall within one of three categories: birth through two years of age, three to five years of age, and kindergarten services.

Birth through two

Services for students under the age of three are typically delivered with a family-centered model. Instruction often occurs in the home, with special education instructional staff, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists making home visits to work directly with children and to provide parents with strategies to facilitate child development. Center-based classes may also be available to families, with toddler classes, parent-child classes, and speech groups assisting students with their individual needs.

Three through five

Services for students aged three to five are typically delivered with a center-based approach. A variety of classes are offered to meet the needs of children with various developmental needs. Classes often include inclusion activities, which allows early childhood special education students the opportunity to learn and play with typically developing peers. Specialized services, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, are provided within the classroom. Developmental adapted physical education (DAPE) is part of each program.

Kindergarten

Special education services are provided for kindergarten students in two primary manners: itinerant services and program-based services. For those students who receive itinerant services, special education staff deliver services to kindergarten students during the school day, primarily outside the classroom. Students receive special education services for a small portion of the week, and receive the majority of their kindergarten program in their regular education classroom. For other students, a specialized kindergarten program may better suit their needs. These programs are located in elementary schools throughout the district, and are based upon the needs of the kindergarten population.

Helpful Links

Minnesota ECSE regualtions regarding student services and qualification:

http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/3525/1350.html

Early Childhood Special Education provides services in collaboration with Bloomington-Richfield Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). Please visit their website at: http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/community_ed/early_childhood/index.html

SHIELD

If you feel your infant or toddler may have a developmental delay in the areas of cognition, communication, social/emotional development, or motor movement, or if he/she was born with a significant medical condition, please contact SHIELD at (952) 563-8900. SHIELD (South Hennepin Interagency Early Learning and Development) is a planning, coordination, and evaluation service provided by Bloomington Public Health in conjunction with the south Hennepin County public school districts to determine eligibility of children birth to three years of age for special services. All SHIELD services are free of charge.

Connect 4 Parents

Connect 4 Parents is a parent-supported organization designed to connect families to information about resources available in the Twin Cities Area. To visit their home page, please click here.

If you have a child receiving ECSE services, please take our 2008 Connect 4 Parents survey. It takes about 30 seconds. Click here.

Contacts

Dr. Chris Christenson, ECSE Supervisor            (952) 806-8950

cchriste@bloomington.k12.mn.us

Christina Schesso, ECSE Secretary                    (952) 806-8900

cschesso@bloomington.k12.mn.us

Sites

Southwood Early Childhood Center                     (952) 806-8900

4901 W. 112th St., Bloomington, MN 55437       (driving directions)

Pond Early Childhood Center                               (952) 681-6200

9600 Third Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55420