School, IEPs and Florida Education Law
Florida autism eligibility, evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans, private BCBAs in public schools, restraint and seclusion rules, the FES-UA scholarship and transition.
Understand
Start here: the basics, in plain language.
- UnderstandBullying and Autism: Using Florida's Jeffrey Johnston ActFlorida's anti-bullying law (s. 1006.147) for autism families: the legal definition, buses and online, parent notification, and how to document and report.6 min read
- UnderstandCameras in ESE Classrooms in Florida: The Broward Pilot and What Other Counties AllowFlorida's classroom camera law was a Broward-only pilot. Statewide bills died in 2025 and 2026. How Broward Policy 4900 works and what to ask your district.6 min read
- UnderstandExtended School Year (ESY) for Autistic Students in FloridaHow Florida IEP teams decide extended school year (ESY): the four factors in Rule 6A-6.03028, no limits by disability, and using ABA data as evidence.5 min read
- UnderstandFlorida Diploma Options for Students With Disabilities (No More Special Diploma)Florida diploma routes for students with IEPs: access courses, employment competencies, assessment waivers, Special Olympics PE and the May 15 deferral.6 min read
- UnderstandFlorida IEP Guide for Autism: ESE Eligibility, Meetings and Parent RightsHow Florida IEPs work for autistic students: evaluation requests, the 60-day rule, eligibility, IEP team and contents, consents, reviews and disputes.10 min read
- UnderstandFlorida's 60-Calendar-Day School Evaluation Rule and the Days That Don't CountFlorida schools must finish initial ESE evaluations within 60 calendar days of consent. Excluded days, when the clock starts and the 30-day extension.6 min read
- UnderstandFlorida's Early-August School Start: A Transition Plan for Autistic KidsA countdown plan for Florida's August school start: IEP checks, sleep reset, school visits, heat and bus planning, and sharing ABA strategies with teachers.5 min read
- UnderstandFlorida's Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) Explained for Autism FamiliesFES-UA explained for Florida autism families: who qualifies without an IEP, ABA and other uses, 2026-27 amounts, payments and the FAPE trade-off.8 min read
- UnderstandHow Florida Schools Decide Autism Eligibility for ESE (and Why a Diagnosis Isn't Enough)Florida's school autism rule (6A-6.03023) in full: the six evaluation parts, three criteria and the need for special education, versus a medical diagnosis.6 min read
- UnderstandIEP Transition Planning Starts at 12 in Florida (Earlier Than Federal Law)Florida IEP teams start transition planning in 7th grade or at 12, add career goals by 9th grade or 14, and explain rights at 18. What the law requires.6 min read
- UnderstandKindergarten Readiness in Florida for Autistic ChildrenPreparing an autistic child for kindergarten in Florida: age rules, the August start, the transition IEP, routines to practice and how ABA goals can help.6 min read
- UnderstandNew 2026 Florida Law: What Schools Must Do When IEP Therapy Sessions Are MissedSince July 1, 2026, Florida schools must notify you within 10 school days when an IEP related service is missed and discuss make-up. Your log rights too.6 min read
- UnderstandRestraint in Florida Schools: When It's Allowed and the Notices You Must GetFlorida restraint law (s. 1003.573): the imminent-risk rule, mechanical restraint ban, same-day notice, 3-school-day report and crisis plans.6 min read
- UnderstandSeclusion Is Banned in Florida Public Schools: What Parents Should KnowFlorida law (s. 1003.573) bans seclusion in public schools. What counts as seclusion, the time-out exception, which students are covered and what to do.5 min read
- UnderstandWho Must Be at a Florida IEP Meeting (and Who You Can Invite)Florida's IEP team under Rule 6A-6.03028(3)(c): required members, excusal in writing, your right to invite a BCBA or advocate, and when the student joins.7 min read
Compare options
Weighing your options and planning.
- Compare options2026-27 FES-UA Scholarship Amounts by County and Matrix Level2026-27 FES-UA amounts for all 67 Florida districts from Step Up's chart: Levels 1-3 by grade band, Level 4 and Level 5, and how to read the table.7 min read
- Compare optionsCan ABA Replace School? Florida Attendance Law, Homeschool and Hybrid OptionsFlorida requires school from age 6 to 16, and ABA alone does not count. Compare excused therapy absences, home education, FES-UA and ABA at school.8 min read
- Compare optionsCharter and Private Schools in Florida: What Autism Rights Carry OverWhich IEP rights an autistic child keeps in a Florida charter school, a private school, or a private school paid with FES-UA, and the laws behind each.7 min read
- Compare optionsFES-UA vs Staying in Public School: The FAPE Trade-OffTaking Florida's FES-UA scholarship ends the district's duty to provide FAPE: what you give up, what you keep, part-time classes and going back.6 min read
- Compare optionsFlorida ESE Placement Terms: Regular Class, Resource Room, Separate Class and ESE CenterFlorida ESE placement terms under s. 1003.57: regular class, resource room, separate class, ESE center. LRE rules, ESE center consent and 10-day notice.6 min read
- Compare optionsHomeschooling an Autistic Child in Florida, With ABA and FES-UAHow Florida home education works for autistic children: the notice, portfolio and annual evaluation, using FES-UA funds, and fitting ABA into the day.6 min read
- Compare optionsHow Matrix Levels Change Your FES-UA Award, and How to Request OneHow Florida's matrix of services (Levels 251-255) sets FES-UA awards, why a diagnosis starts at the base level, and the 30-day district matrix request.6 min read
- Compare optionsIEP Disagreements in Florida: Facilitated IEP, Mediation, State Complaint or Due Process?Compare Florida's IEP dispute options: free state facilitation and mediation, the 60-day state complaint, due process timelines, stay-put and appeals.7 min read
- Compare optionsIEP vs 504 Plan in Florida: Which Fits Your Autistic Child?IEP vs 504 plan in Florida: services, eligibility, timelines, the restraint and transition protections only IEPs carry, FES-UA effects and a checklist.6 min read
- Compare optionsIndependent Educational Evaluations (IEE) in Florida: Your Right to a Second OpinionHow to request an IEE at public expense in Florida under Rule 6A-6.03311(6), what the district must do, and how it compares with a privately paid evaluation.6 min read
- Compare optionsPEP vs Unique Abilities Scholarship: Which Fits an Autistic Child?Florida's PEP and FES-UA scholarships compared for autism families: eligibility, ages, therapy coverage, deadlines, account caps, switching rules and FAPE.6 min read
- Compare optionsShould You Share Your Child's Private Autism Evaluation With the School?Pros and cons of giving a Florida school your child's private autism evaluation, what the district must do with it, and what to review or remove first.5 min read
- Compare optionsSuspensions and Manifestation Determinations for Autistic Students in FloridaFlorida's discipline rule for students with disabilities: the 10-day line, the manifestation determination, FBA and BIP duties, 45-day removals and appeals.6 min read
Take the next step
Ready to move: steps, checklists and getting started.
- Take the next stepCan I Bring My Child's BCBA to the IEP Meeting in Florida? Yes: Here's HowFlorida's IEP rule lets parents invite a BCBA who knows their child. The exact rule, a notice email, what the BCBA should prepare and who pays.5 min read
- Take the next stepCan I Use FES-UA for ABA Therapy? Approved Providers and Invoices ExplainedFES-UA can pay for ABA from approved providers. The statute's provider routes, direct pay vs reimbursement, Step Up invoice rules and questions to ask.5 min read
- Take the next stepFES-UA 2026-27 New Applications Close November 15: What to Do NowNew FES-UA applications for 2026-27 close November 15, 2026. Who qualifies, the documents Step Up asks for, the December 15 acceptance step and next steps.7 min read
- Take the next stepFlorida's Law That Lets Your Child's Private BCBA or RBT Into School (s. 1003.572)How s. 1003.572 lets parents bring a private BCBA or RBT into Florida public schools: teacher and principal consent, Level 2 screening, no extra fees, steps.6 min read
- Take the next stepGetting Private ABA Into Broward County Public SchoolsHow Broward's 2026-27 PIP Packet works for private BCBAs and RBTs: vendor badge, fees, 30-day review, school rules, the camera pilot and district contacts.6 min read
- Take the next stepGetting Private ABA Into Charlotte and Highlands County SchoolsSteps for Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sebring and Avon Park families to bring a private BCBA or RBT into public school, with FDLRS and ESE contacts.4 min read
- Take the next stepGetting Private ABA Into Duval County Public SchoolsSteps for Jacksonville families to bring a private BCBA or RBT into a Duval County public school under s. 1003.572, with FDLRS Crown and military-family tips.4 min read
- Take the next stepGetting Private ABA Into Hillsborough County Public Schools: The PIP Process Step by StepHow Hillsborough County Public Schools approves private BCBAs and RBTs (PIP): IEP-only rule, packet checklist, badges, insurance, timing and FAQ limits.7 min read
- Take the next stepGetting Private ABA Into Palm Beach County Schools: A Parent's GuidePalm Beach County's annual process for private BCBAs and RBTs in school: insurance review, fingerprinting, the PIP packet, timelines and district contacts.5 min read
- Take the next stepGetting Private ABA Into Polk County Public SchoolsHow Lakeland and Winter Haven families can bring a private BCBA or RBT into Polk County Public Schools: the law, district policy and who to call.4 min read
- Take the next stepHow to Request a School Evaluation for Autism in Florida (K-12 Sample Letter)Sample letter to request a Florida K-12 school evaluation for autism, the 30-day consent-or-refusal rule, the 60-day timeline and why RtI need not come first.6 min read
- Take the next stepHow to Request IEP Service Logs Within 15 School Days (Florida Template)Florida parents can see IEP service logs within 15 school days under s. 1003.5716(5)(b). Copy-ready request, records rights and a missed-session tracker.5 min read
- Take the next stepRequesting Your Child's RBT in the Classroom: Florida Letter TemplateA copy-ready Florida letter asking the principal to allow your child's RBT in class under s. 1003.572, with attachments, schedule and follow-up steps.5 min read
- Take the next stepWriting ABA-Informed IEP Behavior Goals (With Examples)How to turn your child's ABA data into measurable Florida IEP behavior goals and a BIP that matches home and school, with sample goals and a checklist.5 min read
- Take the next stepYour Child Was Restrained at School: What to Do in the Next 72 HoursFlorida schools must give written notice the same day and mail the incident report within 3 school days. A 72-hour plan, records request and next steps.6 min read
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