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From: Kathleen Whitmire
Date: 10/7/02
Time: 11:38:29 AM
Remote Name: 65.216.246.2
Yes, school districts are responsible for services to preschoolers. In fact, IDEA covers children from birth through age 21. For preschoolers, eligibility is determined based on (1) evidence of a disorder, (2) documentation that the disorder interferes with the child's ability to participate in age-appropriate activities, and (3) agreement that special services would assist the child. It is legal under IDEA(and common practice)with younger children to identify them as a "child with a disability" rather than identifying a specific disability category, since that can be difficult to determine at a young age. Services for birth to 3 years of age fall under Part C of IDEA, and services to children ages 3-21 are outlined in Part B of IDEA.