Special education is tailored instruction designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. It ensures that all children—regardless of differences—have access to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) to support access to the general education curriculum.
Free, appropriate education by age 3: Children with developmental delays or disabilities receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and services begin by their 3rd birthday. The New Hampshire Department of Education has a website with more information for preschool families.
Child Find & screening: Any child aged 2½–5 may be referred if parents or caregivers have concerns. Districts provide developmental screening to assess eligibility. PES schedules yearly Child Find screenings, please reach out for more information.
Early Intervention (0–3): Through Family-Centered Early Supports & Services (FCESS), children from birth to two years old receive support via an IFSP, with a focus on family goals. NH DHHS offers more information for Early Supports and Services.
Referral & evaluation: If concerns arise, parents, teachers, or providers can request an evaluation at no cost to determine eligibility .
Eligibility & IEP: A team—parents included—reviews assessment results to determine eligibility. Eligible children receive an IEP outlining goals, services, accommodations, and placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE) .
Procedural Safeguards: NH provides a detailed handbook with parental rights, dispute-resolution routes, independent evaluations, private placements, and more.
Referral
A parent, teacher, or doctor can request an evaluation if there are concerns about a child’s development or learning. PES will convene a team meeting which includes parents, teachers, an administrator and any relevant service providers in order to determine how to support your child’s needs.
Evaluation
If your child’s special education team feels that evaluations should be conducted, school personnel will evaluate your child at no cost in order to determine if they have a disability and make recommendations regarding what supports they need.
Eligibility
The special education team, including parents, reviews results to decide if the child qualifies for special education services.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
If eligible, the team develops an IEP—a plan that outlines goals, services, accommodations, and how progress will be tracked.
Services Begin
The child receives support either in a regular classroom, a special education setting, or both, depending on their needs.
What are the areas of disability?
Autism
Deaf-Blindness
Deafness
Developmental Delay
Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impaired
Specific Learning Disability
Speech-Language Impairment
Traumatic Brian Injury/Acquired Brain Injury
Visual Impairment/Blindness
Transition & Monitoring
Early childhood transitions: The Pelham School District strives to ensure smooth transitions—from IFSP to IEP, and from preschool to kindergarten. Please reach out to your child’s special education teacher or coordinator with any questions.
Progress monitoring: Schools track preschool outcomes across social-emotional growth, knowledge acquisition, and functional behavior, involving families in the process.
Contacts & Next Steps
Preschool parents: Contact Jane Shields jshields@pelhamsd.org or 603-635-8875
Elementary parents: Contact your child’s classroom teacher or PES Special Education Coordinator - Beth Purcell bpurcell@pelhamsd.org or 603-635-8875
Parent Information Center of New Hampshire: https://picnh.org/
New Hampshire Family Voices: https://nhfv.org/
Pelham Parent Partnership Group: Website coming soon