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Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Assessment Team
About the Program
Overview and Team Members
The Early Childhood Assessment Team (ECAT) at Beech Grove City Schools (BGCS) provides comprehensive, educational evaluations for children ages three (3) years to five (5) years of age within the boundary of Beech Grove City Schools.
Depending on the reason for referral, children are evaluated in the areas of speech, language, social, fine and gross motor, cognitive and pre-readiness skills. Members of the team include:
- a school psychologist
- an early childhood special education teacher
- a speech-language pathologist
- an occupational therapist
- a physical therapist
- a nurse
Other professionals may also serve on the team as needed.
Children are typically assessed in a one-on-one setting or within the preschool classroom setting for typically two sessions that will be arranged with the parent. During the evaluation sessions, the ECAT professionals observe and conduct formal assessments in the areas of concern.
Current Team Members:
| Amy Reeves | Director of Exceptional Learners |
| Sara Wetzel | School Psychologist |
| Margaret Stanley | Developmental Preschool Teacher |
| Jenni Shellhorn | ECAT Speech-Language Pathologist |
| Amber Stults | Developmental Preschool Speech-Language Pathologist |
| Shelby Gruner | Occupational Therapist |
| Shannon Brezko | Physical Therapist |
| Brandee Beikman, RN, BSN | Nursing Coordinator for Beech Grove City Schools |
Please contact Mrs. Amy Reeves at 317-788-4481 to begin the evaluation process for your child.
How the Evaluation Process Works
- Children are evaluated by the Early Childhood Assessment Team (ECAT) from one of two sources:Children transitioning from First Steps early intervention services are scheduled for an evaluation prior to their third birthday. The type of evaluation conducted will be determined based on the current services the child receives and/or any additional present concerns.Upon completion of the evaluation, a case conference will be held to determine eligibility for services within the public school by the child’s third birthday.
- Parents/guardians may refer their child(ren) ages 3 to 5 years old (who are not attending kindergarten) for an evaluation due to concerns in the areas of speech, language, social, fine and gross motor, cognitive and/or pre-readiness skills.
Evaluation process
- Within ten school days of the parent/guardian calling Beech Grove City Schools (BGCS) 317-788-4481 to request an evaluation, a representative from the ECAT team will contact the parent to conduct an intake meeting over the telephone. Following, we may ask that the child participate in a brief screening assessment by an early childhood staff member to determine what type of evaluation, if any, is warranted.
- If an evaluation is indicated from the screening, and/or parent concern, the child will be referred to the ECAT team to begin the evaluation process.
- Once a parent/guardian signs the permission for any type of evaluation, the evaluation must be completed and a case conference held to determine eligibility for services within 50 school days. (Unless the child was referred for evaluation by First Steps provider. Please see above.)
- The initial evaluations and case conferences are held by staff at Beech Grove City Schools or virtually. If a child qualifies for special education services, special education services may include:
Early childhood speech only services
Placement in a community preschool program
Placement in a developmental preschool
At Beech Grove City Schools, a full continuum of placement options is available for eligible students including developmental preschool and community preschool programs for students who require assistance in learning routines and other developmentally appropriate skills. Students enrolled at BGCS for their special education services attend based on the student’s level of need, the goal(s) being worked on, and his/her case conference committee.
Related services such as occupational therapy and physical therapy are provided in the developmental preschool classroom, if a child is eligible. Transportation is also a related service that can be provided by Beech Grove City Schools, if a child is eligible and a Beech Grove resident.
Please contact Mrs. Amy Reeves at 317-788-4481 to begin the evaluation process for your child.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is authorized under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) (McKinney-Vento Act). The McKinney-Vento Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently re-authorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). 1 The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youths have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, State educational agencies (SEAs) must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youths. Homeless children and youths must have access to the educational and related services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. In addition, homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment. 3 SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as barriers to the identification, enrollment, attendance or success in school of homeless children and youths.
Definition of Homeless (McKinney-Vento Act Sec. 725(2); 42 U.S.C 11435(2)): Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night time residence:
- “Double up”- Sharing the housing of others due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer park, camping grounds, die to lack of adequate alternative accommodations.
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters.
- Living in a public or private place bot designed for humans to live.
- Migratory children living in above circumstances.
- Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
- Unaccompanied Youth – Children or youth who meets the definition of homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.
Residency and Educational Rights:
Students who are in temporary, inadequate and homeless living situations have the following rights in Beech Grove City Schools:
- Immediate enrollment in the school they last attended or the school in whose attendance area they are currently staying even if they do not have all of the documents normally required at the time of enrollment;
- Access to free meals and textbooks, Title 1 and other educational programs and other comparable services including transportation.
- Attendance in the same classes and activities that students in other living situations also participate in without fear of being separated or treated differently due to their housing situations.
Contact:
Please contact BGCS McKinney-Vento District Liaison for more information or to report a homeless student situation.
Mary Sibley-Story
Director of Secondary Education
mstory@bgcs.k12.in.us
317-786-1447
Special Education in Beech Grove City Schools
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