A child receiving services through an early intervention agency may transition into the Sharon Public Schools (SPS) on his/her 3rd birthday, provided he/she qualifies for special education as determined through the following process.

1. The early intervention agency facilitates a release of records and a request for an evaluation to the Sharon Public Schools.
2. Within 5 days of receipt of the packet, the SPS will send the family a notification of receipt and information regarding next steps in the process.
3. Within 3 months of the child’s 3rd birthday, a “consent to evaluate” packet will be mailed to the family from SPS, seeking permission to evaluate in areas of need.
4. The parent must sign and return the consent form and additional paperwork in order for the process to continue. No evaluation can occur without signed consent from the child’s parent or guardian.
5. The Director of Early Childhood from SPS will be in contact with the Early Intervention liaison to schedule observations or a transition meeting time/date. The Director of Early Childhood will provide the family with information related to the transition process and options if the child does not qualify for special education.
6. Upon receipt of the evaluation consent form, the Director of Early Childhood or service provider/therapists will contact the family to schedule evaluation appointments at The Children’s Center early childhood program.
7. A child is evaluated in the identified areas of need within 30 school days of the receipt of the signed “consent to evaluate.”
8. A team meeting will be scheduled and held at The Children’s Center before the child’s 3rd birthday. Parents and Early Intervention providers are invited to attend. For late referrals, every effort is made to have the meeting before the child’s 3rd birthday, but it must occur within 45 days of the signed consent. Reports are available to parents two days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Findings at the TEAM meeting may include one of the following:

• No eligibility for special education services.
• Eligibility for special education services based upon the determination of an educational disability.

Eligibility for a specialized preschool program will be determined based upon individual student needs.