Early Childhood Special Education

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) 

In April of 2024, the Maine Legislature approved a bill that allowed School Administrative Units to provide early childhood special education services to preschool-aged children with disabilities, and that all School Administrative Units are to offer these services by July 1st, 2028. 

• Legislation for Provision of Early Childhood Special Education in School Administrative Units (SAUs), P.L. 2023, c. 643, part W 
• Child Find and the Special Education Process
• Preschool Environments

FAPE Information

Cohort Meeting Recordings: Supports to Initiate Early Childhood Special Education Services 

The Maine Department of Education, Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education supports School Administrative Units in providing early childhood special education services to ensure Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Included are the agendas, presentations, and recordings from the most recent cohort of SAUs to participate.

• Cohort Meeting Recordings (Cohort 1 SY2024-2025, Cohort 2 SY 2025-26)
• Application Process and Timelines 
• Topic Specific Presentations/Recordings 

Cohort Meeting Resources

Technical Assistance for Programs Implementing Early Childhood Special Education 

The following information is designed to support school administrative units engaged in providing special education services to preschool-aged children with disabilities, enabling all schools to meet regulatory requirements and provide free appropriate public education.

• Educator Certification, Licensure, Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities, Recruitment, and Retention 
• Child Find in Early Childhood 
• Transition from Early Intervention Services
• Preschool Inclusion and Least Restrictive Environment 
• Measuring Positive Child Outcomes: The Child Outcomes Summary (COS) Process 

Professional Development

Month-by-Month Steps to Offer FAPE in Early Childhood Special Education 

School Administrative Units taking on the FAPE obligation are provided with month-by-month guidance to support transition activities. Guidance includes links to documents, forms, and previous presentations to help prepare SAUs to serve preschool-aged children with disabilities in early care and education settings. We break down the resources each month into “What to do” and “What to look for” sections to assist.

Month-by-Month Onboarding