Early Childhood Special Education Services and Programs
CPS offers the following program models: Speech-Only Services, Early Childhood Itinerant, Blended (Inclusive), and Early Childhood Cluster. Students with IEPs are enrolled in blended and intensive programs.
Speech-Only Services
This program is indicated for any preschool age student requiring only speech support from a Related Service Provider. in the general education classroom.
Early Childhood Itinerant Services
This program is indicated for any preschool age student requiring support from an early childhood special education teacher in the general education classroom for up to 120 minutes weekly.
Inclusive Preschool Program
Inclusive Preschool classrooms are an inclusive setting in which students with disabilities receive specially designed instruction alongside their general education peers for the duration of the school day. These classrooms also provide peer modeling and interaction while early learners develop independent functioning and social-emotional skills with same-aged peers.
Early Childhood Cluster Program
Early Childhood Cluster Preschool programs are designed to meet the needs of students who require more modified support than the Blended program as outlined in their IEP. Students also receive special designed instruction in this program by a special education teacher that addresses independent functioning, social-emotional, and/or academic needs. These classrooms provide more structured peer modeling and interaction to meet the needs of learners throughout the school day.
For questions about Early Childhood Special Education, email OSD@cps.edu.
Early Childhood Special Education School Assignment
While all Chicago Public Schools serve the needs of students with disabilities, some programs and supports and services are not available at every school and require an OSD school assignment. A student’s assignment to an OSD program is strictly based on the program’s ability to implement the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and least restrictive environment, which are both determined by the IEP team.
When determining a school assignment, OSD follows federal and state regulations and considers:
- The school closest to the child’s home;
- Available seats in a school that can provide the supports and services documented in the IEP; and
- The school’s ability to implement the child’s IEP.
For questions about OSD School Assignment, email osdschoolassignment@cps.edu.
Evaluation & Assessment
Child Find
Child Find is an ongoing process that identifies, locates, and evaluates children birth through age 21 who may require special education services. The OSD Child Find Screening Team provides free early childhood developmental screenings for children birth to five.
The Child Find process focuses on students who are not currently enrolled in a special education program and who are suspected of having a disability, living within the City of Chicago which includes, unenrolled students, students attending a non-public school within the City of Chicago, and others.
Developmental screenings can indicate if a child is having difficulties with cognitive/academic, communication, social-emotional, and fine/gross motor skills. A hearing and vision screening are also available.
Regional screenings are held monthly at several Chicago Public Libraries across the city. No appointment is necessary. SY26 Child Find Calendar is available in English and Spanish.
For additional questions, please reach out to the CPS Child Find Coordinator at 773-251-4855 or cpschildfind@cps.edu.
Early Intervention (EI) to Early Childhood Transition
A child who was eligible for Early Intervention (EI) services should be evaluated to determine eligibility for Early Childhood Special Education services from CPS prior to their third birthday. OSD works collaboratively with Early Intervention Service Coordinators to schedule evaluations with the Citywide Assessment Team (CAT) as the child approaches their third birthday. If you have questions about your child’s transition and/or evaluation please contact the OSD Citywide Assessment Team at 773-553-1266 (Garfield Park), 773-535-8937 (Colman), or earlychildhoodevals@cps.edu.
Parent Supports
OSD provides a number of resources and training opportunities to assist parents in caring for their children and securing the right services, supports, and individualized instruction plans to aid their learning.
OSD Parent Support Specialists
When you’re not sure who to call or what questions to ask regarding your child with a disability, OSD Parent Support Specialists can help provide one-on-one guidance or refer you to the appropriate resources.
StarNet Project
Star Net helps parents of students with disabilities learn more about their child’s disability and understand the services provided by the early childhood community. Star Net does this through providing events, workshops, agency resources, and opportunities for connecting with other parents facing a similar situation.
