FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
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    Contact Information:
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    Rachael Spanjer
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
    850-922-3731
    spanjer_r@popmail.firn.edu
    MEMORANDUM
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    K12: 2005-127
    TO:
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    Exceptional Student Education Directors
    Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System Associate Center Managers
    FROM:
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    Bambi J. Lockman
    DATE:
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    September 16, 2005
    SUBJECT:
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    Obligation of Local Education Agencies (LEA) to Parentally-Placed Private School
    Children with Disabilities
    The Florida Department of Education is committed to increasing the quantity and improving the quality of
    education options for students and families in the state. Effective July 1, 2005, in accordance with the
    reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), there has been a significant
    change in the LEA obligation to conduct child find and
    school children with disabilities.
    Previously, the LEA was required to conduct child find and provide equitable services for parentally-placed
    private school children with disabilities for children who reside in the district, regardless of the school placement.
    Under the reauthorized regulation, Section 612(a)(10)(A)(i),
    (i) IN GENERAL.--To the extent consistent with the number and location of children with
    disabilities in the State who are enrolled by their parents in private elementary schools and
    secondary schools in the school district served by a local educational agency, provision is made for
    the participation of those children in the program assisted or carried out under this part by providing
    for such children special education and related services…
    The law adds the requirement for child find to include students who attend private schools in your district, no
    matter if they live in your district or not. The attached information is designed to assist districts in their efforts to
    comply with IDEA 2004.
    BJL/gcm
    Attachment
    cc: Non-Public Schools
    BAMBI J. LOCKMAN
    Chief
    Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 614 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0475 • www.fldoe.org

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