1102 North Broadway
Urbana IL 61801
phone: 217-384-3616 fax: 217-384-3615

Screening Program

Urbana School District #116 provides free developmental screening of preschool children. The screening process checks speech and language development, thinking and reasoning abilities, small and large muscle coordination, listening, vision and hearing skills, and other academic readiness skills. The purpose of the screening is to answer questions parents may have about their child’s development and to identify those children who may need preschool education services.

Screening is done by a team of professionals and takes about 45 minutes. Children are screened by playing a series of games with a teacher. Questions about the child’s development are asked of parents. Any child between the ages of 3 and 5 years who lives in Urbana may receive the services of the screening program. Screenings are conducted throughout the school year.

Referrals may be made by parents, relatives, physicians, nursery schools, day care centers, or other agencies. No child is screened without parental permission. Proof of Urbana residency, (lease or mortgage, utility or tax bill/receipt) and guardian photo ID are required.

A screening may scheduled by calling the Early Childhood Program Office at 384-3616.

Diagnostic Services

Children who show signs of needing special education services are referred to the Urbana School District #116 Early Childhood Study Team by agencies, physicians, or the screening team for an assessment. The assessment experience is not a test, but rather an opportunity for professionals to observe and interact with children in a natural play setting.

The Early Childhood Study Team includes:

• School Social Worker
• Speech/Language Therapist
• School Psychologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist

The uniqueness of each child compels the child study team to look at and respond to each child as individuals. Children go through the same developmental stages but the timing and method of their growth varies. The information gathered during this evaluation process is reviewed during a conference where the child’s parents and the Early Childhood staff determine eligibility for educational programs and services.