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Welcome

Exceptional Student Education Parents

As a parent you're a vital team member in the exceptional education process. These pages are designed to help you become more involved and empower you to help your son or daughter to achieve his or her personal best.

The "New to ESE" section is for the parent that may have just been notified that there is a need for special educational services to help your child in school. Often the first steps toward helping a child are filled with testing and meetings that can overwhelm you. The goal for everyone however is always to do what is best for the child. The more you, the parent,  know about the process the more you can help and the better you will become in finding ways to improve learning..

The ESE Advisory Council page is an open invitation to all parents, teachers, and student support agencies to become involved in the process by attending and being active in the Advisory Council.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states are now required to collect information annually from parents of children receiving special education services.  This information is used to determine the extent to which schools are supporting parent involvement in their child’s education.  Each year, the FDOE collects information by inviting a large sample of parents of children receiving special education services to complete a survey.  Please complete the PARENT SURVEY every May so that we can better meet your needs. 

Every child is perfect in the eyes of a parent; each parent defines that perfection and seeks out the best for his or her child. In this process we are all committed to the future.

 

New to Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

If you are a care giver for a child recently identified as needing special services in school, Welcome! We're here to help you and your child to achieve his or her greatest potential in school and life. Education does not  take place exclusively in the classroom and the same is true for students with special learning needs. Your child's learning plan comes from a team effort that includes teacher's, school staff, various specialists, and two very important team members, the student and the parent. A student in the ESE program has an individualized education plan (IEP) developed for him or her by this team at least once a year. As a parent your involvement in the plan is essential for its success. There are both legal rights provided by the laws that govern the ESE program and responsibilities for all involved helping the student get an opportunity for success within the school environment. As the student gets older there are various graduation options and post graduation programs that will be discussed and planned as part of the students individual education and transition plan.

What can you do to help your child? Here are a few ideas:

  • Actively learn about how you can help.  You have started that by coming to this web site. The State of Florida has provided many excellent parent guides to help you learn more.  Never be afraid to ask questions because the more you know the more you can help.
     

  • Communicate with your child's teachers. The team effort to help your child learn needs to continue throughout the year. Email is a great way to help avoid the "phone tag" game that comes from busy schedules and every teacher in the county has an email address. Schedule meetings to talk with your child's teacher during the year and look for positive ways you can work together in process.
     

  • Bring learning home! The simple bedtime story is the first step to a life rich in literature and setting the example by turning off the television and picking up a book is can bring home the value of learning. Home is where behaviors and values are learned first that will last throughout the educational process. Often it is the little things done at home that helps make learning in school possible.
     

  • Become involved in the school. Join the Parent/Teacher Organization, become involved in the School Improvement Committee, volunteer in the classroom, become involved with the county ESE Parent Advisory Committee. Your ideas and help are always welcomed. Please contact our Parent Liaison- Marty Jacquette at 293-1400 or by email at Marty.Jacquette@keysschools.com

What is the McKay Scholarship?

Established in 2000, this program was designed to help students with disabilities in choosing another public school or eligible private school to accommodate their academic, social, and environmental needs.  For more information, please visit this website:  www.floridaschoolchoice.org