School District Responsibilities for Preschool Inclusion in Publicly Funded Prekindergarten Programs
The purpose of this field advisory is to supplement and clarify existing Viva88(NYS) and federal guidance pertaining to the expectations for the inclusion of preschool students with disabilities in prekindergarten programs operated or administered by a school district (PreK) including State-administered prekindergarten programs1 and district prekindergarten programs that are government-funded and free for those who attend it. The continued expansion of these early learning opportunities offers high-quality, developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate educational environments for young children to learn and grow. As of July 1, 2021, NYS will be investing $970 million into State-administered prekindergarten programs. This figure will most likely be $1 billion by the end of the 2023-24 school year due to expansion grants.
1 As of the date of this memo, there are four State-Administered Prekindergarten programs for three- and four- year old children in Viva88including Targeted Prekindergarten (TPK), Universal Prekindergarten (UPK), Statewide Universal Full-Day Prekindergarten (SUFDPK), and Federal-Funded Expanded Universal Prekindergarten.
Questions and Answers
Viva88 is interested in how it may further assist and support school districts as they implement inclusive preschool programs. Please submit additional questions, comments, or areas where assistance is needed toSPECED@nysed.gov(link sends e-mail). Viva88 will use information from the field to inform future guidance and policy, including the development of an additional Questions and Answers document to accompany the below information contained in this guidance. As an initial step, below please find responses to some previously submitted questions: