Early childhood experiences set the stage for lifelong success. Providing excellent early learning opportunities for preschool students with disabilities is an important area of focus as districts seek to improve kindergarten readiness. Research clearly indicates creating environments for all students to learn together regardless of ability improves outcomes for all students.  

Each year, school districts report data for Indicator 6 for Part B, one of the 17 indicators reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). ”Indicator 6: Preschool Environments” measures the extent to which preschool students with disabilities receive the majority of their special education and related services in settings with children who are typically developing.  

Districts can now access preliminary data to see whether districts met State Performance Plan (SPP) targets for both Indicator 6A and 6B: Preschool Environments for federal fiscal year 2023/school year 2023-24. (Note: Data is not considered final until the Kansas State Department of Education submits the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report.) Districts can run the "Final Indicator 6 Report" for school year 2023-24 to review this information.  

November is a good time of year for districts to proactively monitor whether they are on track to meet state targets again in 2024-25. The “Projected Indicator 6 Report” in the SPEDPro authenticated application shares a snapshot of current data. The data collected from districts on the Dec. 1 count is used to compute Indicator 6 for the year.  

Visit the KSDE TASN website for additional Indicator 6 resources.  

Contact Amanda Petersen, KSDE Director of Early Childhood, apetersen@ksde.org, to request individual support in understanding Indicator 6 data and considering opportunities to improve.