Early Childhood Special Education

Program Coordinator: Miguel Hinojosa

 

North East ISD’s Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides individualized learning and support for children ages 3–5 with disabilities in a welcoming, language-rich environment. Our program is designed to help each child grow socially, emotionally, academically, and in their communication and independence skills.

Throughout the school day, children learn through play, hands-on activities, classroom routines, and engaging instruction that supports all 10 Pre-K learning domains. Teachers use visual supports, positive behavioral strategies, and individualized instruction to help each child participate, learn, and experience success.

 

NEISD offers a continuum of ECSE services, allowing families to receive the level of support that best meets their child’s individual needs. Services may range from speech therapy provided at school to inclusive early childhood experiences and specialized, highly structured ECSE classrooms. This flexibility allows us to provide meaningful opportunities for children to learn alongside their peers while also receiving the specialized support they need to thrive.

 

One of the unique features of NEISD’s ECSE program is our full day READI program for both 3 and 4 year olds. READI provides a supportive introduction to school for students who are new to a school setting and qualify for Special Education services.

 

During their first 30 instructional days, students participate in a structured and nurturing READI classroom designed to help them build the foundational skills they need to be successful at school. Students have opportunities to learn classroom routines, communication skills, social skills, independence, and positive learning behaviors in a supportive environment.

 

This initial experience also allows our teachers and support staff to get to know each child as a learner and identify the instructional, behavioral, communication, and other supports that will help them be successful. By intentionally building these skills and supports from the beginning, we can create a strong foundation for each child's continued growth and success throughout their ECSE experience.

 

NEISD also offers a true Co-Teach model within our ECSE program. In this setting, both 3 and 4 year old students learn in an inclusive full day Pre-K classroom alongside their peers and are supported throughout the entire school day by both a certified general education Pre-K teacher and a certified special education teacher.

 

This collaborative model provides students with access to the rich learning experiences of a Pre-K classroom while ensuring that individualized supports are available throughout the day. Teachers work together to create an environment where every child can actively participate, build friendships, develop communication and social skills, and experience success as a valued member of the classroom community.

 

By having both teachers working together throughout the day, students benefit from consistent support, individualized instruction, and meaningful opportunities to learn and interact with their peers in a welcoming and inclusive environment.