Boston Pre-K Specialized Services

Boston Pre-K within Boston Public Schools, collaborates with the Office of Specialized Services to ensure students have equitable opportunities to engage in innovative, high-quality instruction in the least restrictive environment.

Our focus is to provide access to high-quality comprehensive services and supports that enhance student achievement, family involvement, and community engagement.

Choosing the Right Boston Pre-K School For Your Child

The support and specialized services available for Boston Pre-K students can vary depending on the school they attend. Before applying to Boston Pre-K, take some time to explore and understand which school setting will best meet your child's unique needs.

Table outlining special education and behavioral health services by Boston Pre-K setting

Understanding Specialized Services

Universal Screenings

Screenings are tests that are used for early detection of developmental issues or to identify level of risk. Results from screening help guide educators and specialists in providing next steps for your child. Screenings can be conducted by individual professionals or a team.

Children at Boston Pre-K can access the following screening services:

Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)

As a part of enrollment in the Boston Pre-K program, all children are administered this proactive, universal screening to proactively assess each child’s needs and risks. All children enrolled at a Boston Pre-K community provider should receive ASQ within 45 days of the start of the school year. Unless a child transfers in mid-year, children should be screened with this tool by November. Program educators and staff will provide this screening to parents and caregivers in either paper or electronic versions, for parents to complete. Parents must only respond to the questionnaire that their child’s teachers provide. Your child’s Boston Pre-K site will share results from the ASQ screening. These results will help the Boston Pre-K site provide appropriate resources and recommendations to families.

Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System (BIMAS)

This is a proactive screening that children receive 2 times within the school year (once in the fall and once in the spring). All children in a participating school are screened using the BIMAS. This screening is conducted by the school and completed, at a minimum, by classroom teachers. Depending on the child’s age and setting, parents and students themselves may complete the BIMAS screening. Results from the BIMAS screening help the school be more aware of the student population needs and can help make specific recommendations for children as well.

Child Find

Child Find is a screening service offered by Boston Public Schools to all children living in Boston aged 3 to 21, regardless of whether students attend public or private schools or are home-schooled. This is another option for families who suspect their child has a disability, besides the screenings mentioned above. If a parent or caregiver wants Child Find services, they should find dates and times on the Child Find website.

Evaluations

Evaluations are more formal than screening and are conducted when a caregiver, educator, and/or specialist suspects that a child has a disability and requires specialized instruction to address that disability. Evaluations are conducted by Boston Public Schools for all Boston Pre-K students and require special parent consent. Results are used to determine if a child has a disability, requires specialized instruction, and what support a child needs.

Parents and caregivers can request an evaluation at any time. To do so, they should visit a BPS Welcome Center and request an evaluation. Below are step-by-step directions for requesting an evaluation in all 9 languages.

A child can receive an evaluation regardless of the Boston Pre-K school setting they choose. However, these evaluations will be conducted in different places. Please reference the chart for more information.

Requesting An Initial Evaluation: Steps and Actions Timeline

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan for specialized instruction, supports, and services written to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability. You can learn more about IEPs here. A child can receive the special education services outlined in their IEP regardless of the Boston Pre-K school setting they choose. However, these services may be delivered at a location different than the child's school. Please reference the chart for more information.