Montgomery County Public Schools Preschool Programs Overview

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Montgomery County Public SchoolsPreschool
Programs Overview

• Prekindergarten and Head Start Program
• Preschool Special Education Programs (PEP)
• Preschool Language (Services) Programs

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Prekindergarten and Head Start Program

• Early learning programs that provide
  scientifically-based research approach that is
  designed to promote cognitive, physical, social,
  and emotional development. Teaching teams consist
  of a certified teacher, and a paraeducator, and
  use an interdisciplinary, whole-child approach
  with an emphasis on language, literacy, and
  mathematics.
• All children participate in art, music, physical
  education, field trips, home visits, and
  parental support, and outreach activities. Free
  transportation is provided. Children with
  identified ESOL needs are provided with
  additional support services. Some children with
  identified disabilities are also served in this
  programs.
• Prekindergarten and Head Start programs use the
  same MCPS curriculum and instructional program,
  but vary in length, due to federal Head Start
  requirements. Both programs operate 5 days a
  week, and include approximately 20 students per
  class. Classes are located in all Title I
  schools, and others as well.

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Prekindergarten And Head Start Program (contd)

• Prekindergarten class
  2.5 hours
• Head Start class 3.25 hours
• 10 Full Day Head Start classes that follow
  full-day school schedule
• Are mandated to serve all (FARMS) income
  eligible 4 year old children who request a
  prekindergarten experience, under The Bridge to
  Excellence in Public Schools Act of 2002. A small
  amount of three year old children are also
  served.
• FARMS Prek eligible approximately 38, 000 for
  family of 4
• Head Start federal poverty eligible approximately
  20,000 for family of 4
• Per COMAR, may also enroll some children who are
  also at risk for
• school readiness if space permits, and all
  income eligible are served. (ELLs, IEP, and or
  unusual home and family circumstances.)

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Prekindergarten And Head Start Program (contd)

• Total Number of Preschoolers served 2553
• 1885 are served served in Prekindergarten classes
• 618 are served MCPS Head Start classes, of which
  260 are in full-day Head Start classes
• 30 are served in Head Start Community based
  programs under Head Start grantee Community
  Action Agency

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PEP Programs

• Provides a variety of preschool literacy
  based educational and support services for
  children with disabilities , ages 3 to 5.
  Children qualify for all types of PEP services
  under the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
  (IDEA)
• PEP services address the same early learning
  skills fostered in the MCPS prekindergarten
  classrooms, and also include art and music, with
  mandated services such as speech, occupational
  and/or physical therapy, and parental
  involvement. Wherever possible, classes are
  taught collaboratively with MCPS Prekindergarten
  classes.
• Services range from itinerant in community
  preschools to five hours per day of intensive,
  low- ratio classroom programming, for children
  with multiple severe disabilities.
• .

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Prekindergarten Language Services

• Provide targeted instruction to remediate
  communication impairments, facilitate the
  development of compensatory skills, and enhance
  the development of language, vocabulary, and
  expressive communication skills for children ages
  3 to 5.
• Children served in these classes have diagnosed
  communication delays/disabilities that impact
  their ability to learn. The intensity of need
  determines the extent of speech/language
  intervention, ranging from itinerant services in
  MCPS, to a 2 day-per- week, 2.5 hour per day
  classroom program, or a 5 day per week , 2.5 hour
  per day classroom program.
• Wherever possible, classes are taught
  collaboratively with MCPS prekindergarten
  classes. Children enrolled in prekindergarten
  language classroom programs participate in
  physical development, art, and music.

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Prekindergarten Programs serving children with
sensory disabilities, autism, or physical
disabilities

• Students usually require more specialized
  instruction and programming, including daily
  programs ranging from 2.5 to 6 hours daily.
  Mandated related services such as speech,
  occupational, and or physical therapy, and
  parent involvement are included as required.
• Classroom instruction address the special needs
  of the child, while supporting the same early
  learning goals as the Prekindergarten and Head
  Start program. Children participate in physical
  education, art, and music, and wherever possible,
  classes are taught with MCPS prekindergarten
  classes.

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PEP Summary of Children Served

• Approximately 1,821 preschoolers with
  disabilities, (ages 3 through 5) received Special
  Education services through MCPS.
• TOTAL PEP students (all classes and itinerant
  services) 828
• TOTAL PEP 4 year old students transitioning to
  kindergarten 329
• TOTAL of children with PEP itinerant service
  in community preschools 62
• TOTAL PEP 4 years olds with itinerant services,
  educated 39
• in community preschool programs
• TOTAL Prekindergarten Language Classes (ages 3
  and 4) 90
• Prekindergarten Itinerant Speech and Language
  Needs Only 1200