Welcome to Exceptional Student Education

Alachua County’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department helps schools meet the needs of over 7,000 exceptional students from preschool through 22 years of age who qualify for special services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and gifted students.

The Exceptional Student Education Department enhances the instructional program within each school setting. Staff focus on helping students with diverse needs succeed in school. Our goal is to provide every exceptional student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE). We help students progress in school, access the general curriculum, and prepare them for life after graduation. The Alachua County ESE Department, under the direction of Kathy Black, Executive Director of ESE/Student Services, is staffed by ESE Supervisors, Specialists, and Teachers on Special Assignment to assist schools and parents with providing programming needs for their children. The ESE Department has over 200 teachers that participate in in-service training throughout the year to insure continued success for the children and young adults that they serve.

For more information regarding our various programs, please visit the links below. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call our central office at (352) 955-7676. One of our clerical staff will direct your concerns to the appropriate person.

Phone: 352-955-7676

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Kathy Black, Executive Director

As the Executive Director of ESE/ Student Services, Kathy Black leads staff in ensuring programs for exceptional student education; health services, psychological services, school counseling, student discipline, and student services are accessible and effective for students. Ms. Black has a Master's Degree in Special Education and Teaching from Florida State University. She has more than forty years of experience serving students in public education and advocating for children with special needs.

Compliance
ESE Programs
Internal Use Only
Pre-K ESE
- Are you concerned that your child may have difficulty with learning, speaking, playing, seeing, walking or hearing? Do you know that you can have your child screened? Did you know that the public school provides services for qualifying children?
  
  Evaluation Process
  
  REFERRAL TO FDLRS: Parent Contacts the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) by calling 1-800-533-0326 or 352-671-6051. (https://springs.fdlrs.org)
  
  SCREENING: Parent Completes & Returns the FDLRS Screening Forms
  
  REFERRAL TO ESE: FDLRS will review the screening forms and submit the request for an evaluation to the ACPS Pre-K ESE Office if an evaluation is needed.
  
  SCHEDULE EVALUATION: The family will register in Skyward & Contact the ACPS Pre-K ESE office at 352-955-7671 to schedule the evaluation. For guidance on how to register in Skyward, go to www.sbac.edu/enrollment.
  
  EVALUATION: Child is evaluated by the ACPS Pre-K ESE Evaluation Team.
  
  STAFFING: Family attends the Staffing Appointment with the ACPS Pre-K ESE Evaluation Team. Results are reviewed and a determination is made regarding the child's eligibility for an IEP and ESE Services.
Related Services
Transition Services