Early Childhood Special Education
Students with developmental delays or disabilities deserve access to the high-quality supports and services that they need to succeed in school and in life. ECECD administers two crucial programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an important federal law that helps ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate education and support. Parts B and C of IDEA specifically address different aspects of this support system.
Executive Order 2023-062: Transitioning IDEA Part B-619 services to ECECD
In 2023, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order which elevated the New Mexico Public Education Department’s existing special education division, creating an Office of Special Education. This executive order also transferred responsibility for IDEA Part B-619 special education services from PED to ECECD, the agency responsible for administering New Mexico PreK since 2020. This alignment of services will improve coordination and better support special education and related services for preschool children ages 3-5.
As part of this initiative, the 619 Coordinator position and IDEA Part B-619 grant will be transferred to ECECD, which will enable a more sustained partnership and coordination to provide high-quality special education and related services to preschool children with disabilities.
If you have questions or concerns regarding preschool special education, or the transition of IDEA Part B-619 to ECECD, contact: 619Coordinator@ececd.nm.gov.
Resources
Click the links below to view downloadable resources provided by the New Mexico Office of Special Education (OSE):
Part B – Section 619: Special Education for Children Ages 3-5
Part B-619 of IDEA focuses on ensuring that preschool age children (3-5) with disabilities receive a quality education. It emphasizes providing these individuals with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) tailored to their specific needs. In the early education context, children are age-eligible for services under Part B-619 beginning on their third birthday, if they have been determined to meet the criteria for preschool special education services by a special education evaluation team.
Under Part B-619, students are encouraged to learn alongside their typically-developing peers to the fullest extent possible, supported by special education services and related supports like speech or occupational therapy, all within the least restrictive environment. Both parts of IDEA work together to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive comprehensive support from early intervention through their educational journey, fostering their growth and success.
Part C: Early Intervention for Children Ages 0-3
Part C of IDEA addresses the early intervention needs of infants and toddlers, from birth to to the child’s third birthday, who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing these issues early, providing support not only to the child but also to their families. Part C services include ongoing supports and services provided by a variety of professionals who coach parents and caregivers to provide interventions to the child during daily routines and activities. The goal of Part C is to promote the child’s development and support the family in understanding and meeting their child’s needs. ECECD provides IDEA Part C services through its Family Infant Toddler (FIT) program, which provides personalized early intervention services for young children and their families.