What does this measure?

The proportion of 3- to 5-year-olds receiving special education services.

Why is this important?

Preschool special education services can improve children's cognitive performance, reduce the need for special education services in grades K-12, and improve the likelihood of success in school.

How is the region performing?

In 2016, 7% of preschoolers in the Mid-Hudson Valley region received special education services, higher than the state (excluding NYC) rate of 6.2%. Among the counties of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Ulster had the highest rate in 2016, at 7.6%, followed by Dutchess at 7.3% and Orange at 6.7%. This was an increase of almost 3 percentage points from 2000. All three of the counties saw their rates increase by about 2 to 3 percentage points from 2000 through 2016.

Notes about the data

Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the third quarter.