The lead educational agency in Kansas City, Kansas is the Kansas City, KS Public School District. Three models of inclusive early childhood education are implemented in our district. We have five classrooms which are using the team teaching model. We have one person acting in the consulting role and by the fall of 1998 will have four classrooms that are a blended program model. In the Part B program (preschoolers) we have 287 children. No children are served in self-contained special education classrooms. Forty children are served in community programs and 247 children are served in reverse mainstream program where typical peer models are enrolled in the special education classroom.

Program Administration
The district employs a director of special education. There are two early childhood special education coordinators (part c, part b) a collaborative consultant, a continuous improvement facilitator (to assist in transition from ECSE into Kindergarten), a behavioral consultant, 27 teachers, 31 para professionals and support staff as needed.

Program Financing
The program is financed primarily with federal flow through dollars for special education. However, state and local monies are also utilized to ensure a broad base of financial support for the program.

Kansas City, KS Public Schools Mission Statement
The mission of the Kansas City, Kansas school district is to develop life-long learners through a system of beliefs and values including these stated goals:

Academic success at every level

Safe, orderly and caring schools

Involved parents

Community and business partners

Competent graduates

District demographics
The Kansas City, Kansas school district serves approximately 20,000 students yearly. There are five high schools, eight middle schools, 33 elementary schools and a variety of alternative and preschool facilities. 756 staff members provide special education services for 3,100 special education students. Total student enrollment for 1997/98: 21,758
Early childhood special education enrollment: Part B 287
Total number of school buildings: 46
Number of elementary buildings: 33
Number of ECSE classrooms operated by
the district in district buildings: 14
Number of community programs approximately: 13
Number of ECSE staff: Part B 61

Kansas City, KS Public Schools Home Page