GPS Advantage Preschool Screenings and Evaluations

 If you have concerns regarding your child's development and live within the Gilbert Public Schools Boundaries, we offer free screenings. Click on the button above for more information. 

If you have concerns regarding your child's development and they are not yet three years old, please click on the "Resources" tab and find "Early Intervention Referrals" for more information.

2. If the screening team agrees that your child may have delays in any areas of development, you will be asked to bring your child back in for further evaluation.  This is a thorough one-on-one evaluation appointment that will look at all areas of your child's development.  In most cases, your child's preschool eligibility can be determined in one session, however, you may be asked to return for another appointment, should the team determine that more data may be necessary to collect. After sufficient data is collected, the team, which includes the parents as well as the evaluation team, will sit down and review the data and determine your child's eligibility for preschool services.  If your child does not meet the criteria for any category of education, the process stops here. If your child does meet the eligibility of criteria, then he/she moves to the next step. Click on the "Preschool Categories" button to learn more about eligibility categories set forth by the State of Arizona.

3.  If your child is found eligible to receive special education services, your child will be assigned to a school team to help develop an IEP.  This happens at a separate meeting and must take place withing 30 days after the eligibility determination date. IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan.  The IEP is a plan tailored specifically to the individual child's needs. The IEP is intended to help the child succeed in the classroom. IEP's are created with input from teachers, therapists, parents, and anyone else who the team deems necessary.  It is good for one calendar year and will need to be reviewed/revised annually.  

It is at the IEP meeting that the team will discuss what services your child may need, develop appropriate goals, and determine what environment/classroom is most appropriate for your child. Click on the "Classroom Descriptions" button to learn more about the preschool classrooms available through Gilbert Public Schools.