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Differences Between the Preschool and School-Age Systems in Pennsylvania
Last updated on May 26, 2020 in CAR Autism Roadmap™
Though both the Preschool and School-age Special Education Systems are governed by Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law allows states some flexibility in developing their own regulations, particularly with respect to timelines. Below are a few key differences between the Preschool and School-age systems in Pennsylvania.
- The Provider: In Pennsylvania, though the school district where you live is ultimately responsible for ensuring that your preschool-age child receives a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), your local Intermediate Unit (IU) is directly responsible for delivering preschool services to your child. In the school-age system, your school district is much more involved in the special education of your child from the moment of transition to the system or from when your child first becomes eligible for school-age special education. (This is very different from New Jersey, where school districts are directly involved in the education of preschool-age children.)
- Timelines: In Pennsylvania, the following timelines are different in the two systems:
| Preschool | School-Age | |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluations | 60 calendar days from when parent signs Permission to Evaluate (PTE) form | Every 3 years unless child has an IQ below 70 (then every 2 years) or upon parent's request |
| Frequency of Re-Evaluation | Every 2 years or upon parent's request | Every 3 years unless child has an IQ below 70 (then every 2 years) or upon parent's request |
| IEP Implementation | 14 calendar days after IEP accepted | Within 10 school days after IEP accepted |
| Transition | Transition begins within 1 year of when your child becomes age-eligible for kindergarten | Transition begins at age 14 (federal law requires by age 16) |
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