FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
October 14, 2005
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Florida is committed to providing effective quality services for all students. This letter provides
information regarding the provision of speech/language services in Florida to students with
disabilities. As a parent of a student with a disability, we want to ensure that you understand and
are involved in making the decision regarding services for your child.
The communication skills of each student in exceptional student education (ESE) must be
addressed by the student’s individual educational plan (IEP) or individualized family support
plan (IFSP) team. Communication skills may be addressed by a speech/language pathologist
(SLP) in a number of ways, such as consultation with the classroom teacher, classroom designed
activities, or speech/language therapy sessions.
There are currently
two options
for a student to be eligible to receive speech/language services
in Florida.
Option One
Option one
requires that the student must meet the eligibility criteria as listed in the State Board
of Education rule for
Special Programs for Students Who Are Speech and Language Impaired
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The specific rule can be found at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-61.htm#6A-6.03012. Once the
student is determined eligible for exceptional student education, speech/language impaired is
identified as either the
primary disability
(the student’s only ESE program) or as a
secondary
disability
(student is in more than one ESE program).
Option Two
During the past two years, the Florida Department of Education has provided families and school
districts an additional option to enable more students to receive speech/language services.
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
Through
option two
the individual educational plan or individualized family support plan team
can determine that if a student identified as autistic, deaf or hard-of-hearing, traumatic brain
injured, or developmentally delayed
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has a delay or absence of communication skills as documented by the initial
speech/language evaluation and
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is in need of speech or language services.
In
option two
, the student does not have to meet eligibility criteria under State Board of
Education rule.
We encourage you to work with your IEP or IFSP team members to continue to address your
child’s individual needs. There is not a difference in the type of services provided to your child
based upon the
eligibility option
used for placement into the speech/language program. The IEP
or IFSP team determines the goals and objectives, initiation/duration of services, and frequency
of services.
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact your district Exceptional Student
Education director, your district ESE parent services liaison, or your school guidance counselor.
You may also contact Ms. Elise Lynch, Program Specialist, Florida Department of Education, by
telephone at 850-245-0478 or by email at Elise.Lynch@fldoe for further information.
I hope this information helps you to ensure the highest quality services for your child.
Sincerely,
John L. Winn
Commissioner
