ESE Eligibility

The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services supports school districts and others in their efforts to provide exceptional student education programs for students ages 3 - 21 who have been determined eligible for exceptional student education (ESE).

Each school district is responsible for providing services to students who are eligible for the following ESE programs.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH)
• Ages Birth-9 Years
  • Birth Through Two Years
    • Established Conditions (EC): Ages Birth Through 2 Years Old
    • Developmentally Delayed (DD): Ages Birth Through 2 Years Old
    • Developmentally Delayed (DD): Ages 3-9 Years

    Each school district must establish and make publicly available their policies and procedures which are used to provide services and supports to their students with disabilities. More information on these policies and procedures can be found at the following link: https://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/monitoring/.

    The bureau provides additional support to school districts and families through many state and federally funded discretionary projects. Please see below for links to frequently visited bureau-managed discretionary projects, and for more information, please visit: https://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/grants-management.stml.

    • Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
    • Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET)
    • ISRD

    A Legislative History of Florida's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program

    • A Legislative History of Florida's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program - Letter size (PDF)