Approximately 2,850 exceptional students were in residential facilities across the state as of October 2007. Most of these students were housed in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities. However, 469 were placed in residential treatment facilities regulated by the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Typically, the school district in which a residential facility is located assumes responsibility for providing and funding the educational services for exceptional students in the facility. However, districts usually are not involved in the decision to place exceptional students in residential facilities. They also often do not receive prior notification of placements, which hinders their ability to begin delivering educational services in a timely manner.
State policy should be clarified regarding the financial responsibility for educational services provided to exceptional students in residential treatment facilities.

Students with Developmental Disabilities Have Limited Postsecondary Options; A New Institution Would Expand Choices but Require Additional State Funding
Report 11-08 February 2011
Legislature Clarified Responsibility for Educating Exceptional Students in Residential Facilities
Report 10-51 August 2010
Youth Entering the State's Juvenile Justice Programs Have Substantial Educational Deficits; Available Data Is Insufficient to Assess Learning Gains of Students
Report 10-07 January 2010
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

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.