Education
Popular Questions
Nebraska law entitles children to receive free pulic education the year that they turn five on or before July 31st. This is the only requirement for starting kindergarten.
Nebraska law entitles children to receive free public education the year that they turn five on or before July 31. Schools cannot test age-eligible children for kindergarten entrance, nor suggest delaying entrance. It is the responsibility of schools to be ready to meet the individual needs of every age-eligible child, regardless of their abilities. School districts are allowed to enroll a child who misses the cutoff date of July 31, but turns five between August 1 and October 15.
If you are interested in enrolling you child early contact your school as soon as possible to ask about the procedure for early entry assessment.
If you have a concern about your child’s development, or your child has been diagnosed with a health condition that will affect their development, they may be eligible for early intervention services.
Early Intervention can help you and your family support and promote your child’s development within your family activities and community life. Nebraska’s Early Development Network (EDN) supports children birth through three years of age who have special developmental needs. The Nebrask Early Development Network program “connects” families with early intervention services, such as occupational, speech or physical therapy, to help infants and toddlers grow and develop and help their families in this process.
Nebraska's Early Development Network website
EDN's Family Resource Guide to help you navigate the process of becoming eligable for an receiving early intervention services.
The first step to obtaining early intervention services is to make a referral for your child to your local Early Development Network Referral Agency. Find your EDN Agency here.
Once you contact Nebraska's Early Development Network (EDN) your child will be assigned a EDN Service Coordinator. The assigned EDN Services Coordinator will request your written permission for evaluations through the Special Education Department of your school district. Evaluations are conducted by a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MDT), consisting of professionals within your school district and yourself. The evaluation process will determine if your child is eligible for early intervention services.
If eligible, your child can receive early intervention services. You will have a meeting with your EDN Services Coordinator and other service providers to write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Your first IFSP meeting must be held within 45 days of the referral. Services begin when you have agreed to the IFSP that has been developed. The plan will reflect your family’s concerns and priorities.
- Individual health plans IHP, is a plan that considers how to deal with what might happen with a student medically while the student is in school. The IHP address medical issues that do not impede the student’s learning. It is a formal agreement between parents/caregivers, the student’s health care provider and the school. The IHP gives the student and his or her family to opportunity to discuss their concerns with school staff, and helps establish student, family, and school roles and responsibilities. It clarifies important things like how medication will be administered, how the student’s health status will be monitored, the location where care will be provided and so will be providing the care. A child who has a health impairment or physical disability, her or she should have an IHP. It documents his or her needs and the services to be provided to that child. Even if a child does not receive medication or infusing during school, it is important for the school to know how to deal with any emergencies related to the disability or health care need. An IHP should be a part of a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- The 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.
- The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law receives specialized instruction and related services. The IFSP is for the birth to 3 population and the IEP is age 3 to 21.
There are two programs – Early Head Start and Head Start that provides educational and comprehensive services within communities across the state for children up to age 5.
Learn more about Nebraska Head Start programs
If your child is in need help with learning, there are several organizations who can help.
Nebraska ChildFind will connect you to resources to help you advocate for an appropriate education.
Contact Nebraska ChildFind
You can also contact Nebraska Early Development Network to address your concerns about your child’s early development with your local planning region team.
Contact Nebraska Early Development Network
You may also find it helpful to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Learn more about IFSP
Special education provides each student with a disability with a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Children, from birth until twenty-one years of age, with a qualifying disability in need of specialized educational services in order to benefit from their education are entitled to receive special education and related services.
The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is the document that describes the services a child needs in order to receive educational benefit. The IEP reflects the child and family’s vision for the
future.
You can start by contacting PTI Nebraska. PTI Nebraska (Parent Training and Information) is a statewide resource for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. PTI Nebraska’s staff are parent/professionals and are available to talk to parents and professionals about special education and disability specific information.
Contact PTI Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Office of Special Education can also help
NDE Parental Right and Family Information
Contact NDE
Parental Readiness and Empowerment Program (PREP) has developed a Parent Guide
Nebraska Special Education Parent Guide
Nebraska Transition website has information on how to help your child with disability transition from school to adult living:
- Transition planning guide by age
- IEP development guide
- Resources
