Florida's exceptional student education (ESE) population continues to grow faster than the student population of basic education programs. From 1996-97 to 1998-99 the ESE population grew 14% while the basic student population grew only 2%.
The Legislature has made several changes affecting the ESE program.
It changed the way that school districts receive funding for exceptional student programs.
In order to provide greater accountability for the department's use of resources, it set measures for student performance on statewide assessments such as Florida Writes! and the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT), and it required the department to report the performance of ESE students on these tests.
However, the state did not meet its goal for including 85% of students with disabilities on statewide tests. While the FCAT and Florida Writes! are not appropriate for all students with disabilities, the department should strengthen its assistance to school districts to increase the number of students who do participate.
The department continues to provide technical assistance and monitoring of ESE eligibility determinations, student placement and districts' implementation of the new ESE funding mechanism.

No Title
Report 96-83
Exceptional Student Education Population Grows Dramatically; More Accountability and Better Training Needed to Implement Funding Matrix
Report 03-40 July 2003
Review of Education Services in Juvenile Justice Residential Facilities
Report 98-28 December 1998
Best Financial Management Practice Review Manatee County School District
Report 98-19 October 1998

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.