PPCD

Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities

Program Purpose

• PPCD serve students aged 3 to 5 with disabilities

• It is an early intervention program to help students reach their full potential

• PPCD’s are authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

Qualifying Disabilities in Texas under IDEA

•Auditory impairment •Autism

•Deaf/blindness •Emotional disturbance

•Mental retardation •Multiple disabilities

•Orthopedic impairment •Other health impairment

•Learning disability •Speech impairment

•Traumatic brain injury •Visual impairment

•Non-categorical

Types of PPCD Programs

Students are to receive a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. In order to do this, two types of programs have been established…

•Self-contained and

•Inclusionary

Benefits of PPCD

• Inclusionary programs foster social interactions and behavioral modeling for both typically developing students and the disabled students

• Self-contained programs provide a supportive environment and a low teacher/student ratio

• Early intervention for some disabilities may alleviate the necessity of continuing special education

A PPCD Classroom

• To the extent possible, children with disabilities are placed in the same setting as typically developing peers

• Includes high expectations for all children

• Provides a language rich environment

• Promotes play that encourages social interaction and modeling

Student Qualifications

• Students may begin a PPCD program on their 3rd birthday

• In order to participate in a PPCD program a child must have a disability and require special education services in order to benefit from education

• Students exit the PPCD program when they enter Kindergarten or when special education services are no longer necessary

How does a child get in a PPCD program?

• Anyone associated with the care of a child may recommend them for PPCD services

• The TEA has tasked the local school districts with “child find” duties

• Student evaluations are conducted by an ARD committee upon receipt of parental consent

Instructional Requirements

• Aligns with PK/K TEKS• Creation of an IEP (Individual Education

Plan) by the ARD committee• Focus upon:

– Communication (language)– Cognitive (thinking)– Social/emotional– Motor– Self-help

Instructional Methods

• Accommodations - (alternative ways of learning or showing progress)

• Modifications - (changes to the difficulty level or quantity of work)

• Peer support

• Physical education

• Social toys• Professional services - (speech or occupational

therapy)

Role of the PPCD Teacher

• Implements the IEP

• Follows the BIP (behavior intervention plan)

• Documents student progress

• Provides necessary accommodations and modifications to the curriculum

• Provides safe and supportive classroom environment

Role of the ARD Committee

• Create an IEP for each student• Create a BIP for each student who demonstrates

inappropriate behavior• Meets annually to discuss changes necessary to

a student’s IEP• ARD committees consist of parent(s), general

education teacher, special education teacher, representative of the school and appropriate professional service providers.

Opportunities for PPCD Students

• Progress in the general education curriculum

• Participation in extracurricular activities

• Development of relationships with peers