A Longitudinal Study of Children Screened and Served by Early Childhood Special Education Programs

Abstract

Children screened and served by the early childhood special education department (ECSE) at Arrowhead Area Education Agency (AEA) during years 1977-78 and 1980-81 were followed longitudinally through grade 3 (or age 8). The results were used by the department to evaluate the effectiveness of the screening instrument and criteria to determine eligibility for services and exit from programs. The disability category in which the child was originally placed was also traced. To some extent, the lack of continuity of later category and placement would appear to support the noncategorical identification of preschool handicapped children, or at least the inclusion of a category to defer diagnosis while conducting further, ongoing evaluation. It would appear that longitudinal studies are useful to measure specific local practices within a service-providing setting.