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School: IEP & 504

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in Florida: evaluations, IEPs and scholarships

In Florida, special education is called Exceptional Student Education (ESE). It follows IDEA, with Florida rules set by the Department of Education's Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services.

Updated · 3 min read

Requesting an evaluation

  1. Ask the school or district in writing for an evaluation for ESE services.
  2. The school asks for your written consent.
  3. The evaluation is completed within 60 school days (days your child attends) of the school receiving consent, with some exceptions.
  4. An eligibility meeting reviews the results; if your child qualifies, an IEP is written.

Where to find help

  • FDLRS (Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System) centers help with screening and child find, especially for young children.
  • Early Steps serves children under 3 (see our early intervention guide).
  • Your district's ESE office and parent liaisons can explain local procedures.

Scholarship for students with unique abilities

Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) can fund private school, therapies or other approved services for eligible students. It's administered by scholarship funding organizations such as Step Up For Students. Eligibility, amounts and deadlines change, so check the official sources before applying.

Note that choosing a private school with a scholarship can change the special education rights your child has under IDEA: ask before deciding.

The process in Lumina

How Lumina helps, step by step

  1. 1

    Track the 60-school-day window

    An Evaluation deadline from the date you signed consent, with reminders.

  2. 2

    Plan the annual IEP

    An “IEP meeting” deadline for each annual review, and one for the three-year re-evaluation.

  3. 3

    Keep scholarship paperwork

    Applications, award letters and receipts in Documents (Agencies / Insurance), plus an “Agency / benefits” deadline for renewal.

  4. 4

    Share a summary

    Before each meeting, a PDF with School and therapy notes and the latest evaluations attached.

Everything you write stays encrypted on your device: neither Lumina nor anyone else can read it.

Frequently asked questions

What does ESE mean on my child's documents?+

Exceptional Student Education: Florida's name for special education services (and gifted services).

Can I get an IEP at a private school?+

Rights differ for students placed in private schools by their parents. Ask your district's ESE office before making the change.

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This guide gives general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules and timelines vary by state and district and can change: check with your school district, your state agency or the official websites. Lumina is not a medical device.