Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Florida Could Avoid $1.5 Million Annually in ESE Costs for Out-of-State Students Who Are Placed in Private Residential Facilities

Report 03-58, November 2003

View Report

Report Summary

  • Florida currently pays over $3.5 billion dollars annually for exceptional student education. Although not required by federal law, Florida school districts pay approximately $1.5 million annually for exceptional education services provided to out-of-state students that have been placed in private residential facilities within Florida. These costs should instead be paid by the home states of these students.
  • The Florida Department of Education's database misclassifies the majority of out-of-state children in private residential facilities as Florida residents. As a result, the department is unable to accurately determine the number of non-resident children living in Florida facilities. The department and school districts are also unable to ensure that the facilities are not billing both Florida and the students' home states for educational services.

Related Reports
  1. Legislature Clarified Responsibility for Educating Exceptional Students in Residential Facilities
    Report 10-51 August 2010
  2. Responsibility for the Education of Exceptional Students in Residential Treatment Facilities Needs Clarification
    Report 08-27 April 2008
  3. Steps Taken to Maximize Federal Revenue for Exceptional Student Education Program
    Report 06-49 May 2006
  4. Progress Report: Florida Continues to Fund Out-of-State Students Placed in Private Residential Facilities
    Report 05-38 June 2005
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
education, exceptional student education, ESE, exceptional, residential, facilities, disabled, interagency, agreements, notification, Orange county, Seminole county, Palm Beach county, residency, residential facilities, school districts, education funding,school districts, best financial management practice, performance reviews, schools, school districts, management structures, performance, lottery, community involvement, facilities construction, maintenance, personnel, cost control,transportation, food, safety security, college costs, student financial aid, universities, community colleges, state university system, colleges, higher education, tuition, cost of attendance</span>