Florida Special Education Information
Important resources and information for families seeking special education support in Florida.
The Florida Department of Education – Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) oversees special education services throughout Florida. They provide guidance on special education laws, regulations, and procedures.
Visit Florida Department of Education – Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS)When you disagree with your school district's special education decisions, Florida offers several dispute resolution options. An experienced IEP advocate can guide you through these processes and protect your child's educational rights.
- Mediation: Free collaborative process to resolve disputes with school districts
- State Complaints: Formal complaints filed when schools violate special education laws
- Due Process Hearings: Legal proceedings for serious disputes requiring impartial decisions
Our advocates provide services throughout Florida, including major cities and surrounding areas:
When you hire an IEP advocate in Florida, you're getting a trained professional who will fight for your child's educational rights. Here's what our advocates provide:
- IEP Meeting Attendance & Support: Your advocate attends meetings with you, ensuring your voice is heard and your child's needs are addressed
- Document Review & Analysis: Expert review of IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and progress reports to identify gaps and opportunities
- Legal Rights Education: Clear explanation of your rights under IDEA, Section 504, and Florida state laws
- Evaluation Request Assistance: Help requesting and interpreting educational, psychological, and developmental evaluations
- Goal Development & Monitoring: Crafting measurable IEP goals and tracking your child's progress throughout the year
- Placement & Service Advocacy: Ensuring appropriate educational placement and related services (speech, OT, PT, etc.)
- Dispute Resolution Support: Guidance through mediation, state complaints, and due process when schools don't comply
- Transition Planning: Preparing for life after high school with college, career, and independent living support
- Behavior Plan Development: Creating positive behavior intervention plans when needed
- School Communication: Professional correspondence with school teams to maintain productive relationships
Most IEP advocates in Florida offer free consultations to help families understand their options. This no-obligation call typically lasts 15-30 minutes and includes:
- Situation Assessment: Discuss your child's current educational challenges and needs
- Document Review: Quick analysis of existing IEPs, 504 plans, or evaluation reports
- Rights Explanation: Learn what services your child is entitled to under federal and Florida law
- Strategy Discussion: Get initial recommendations for addressing concerns with your school
- Service Overview: Understand how an advocate can help and typical investment levels
- Next Steps Planning: Clear action plan whether you work with an advocate or proceed independently
These consultations help you make informed decisions about your child's education without any upfront commitment.
