Characteristics of Preschool Special Education Services and Educators

New research helps fill the information gap on services for preschool children with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and federal policy guidance support early identification and intervention for young children with disabilities and encourage the use of inclusive settings to serve them.

This report is based on a comprehensive nationwide study on services for children ages 3 to 5 with disabilities. Our experts conducted this research for the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to shed light on how young children with disabilities are served. These data can inform researchers, practitioners, and policymakers about the structure of programs for preschool children with disabilities, the prevalence of inclusive settings, use of curricula and interventions, and the characteristics of and supports provided to teaching staff.