Asking the school district for an ESE evaluation
What it is. Public schools must evaluate a child who may have a disability affecting learning, and provide an IEP and services if the child qualifies. In Florida this is Exceptional Student Education (ESE). Direct service, free. A parent has the right to request an evaluation (Florida rule 6A-6.0331). You do not need a diagnosis first; eligibility depends on the school's evaluation and whether the child needs special education, not on a diagnosis alone.
Who it's for. Children age 3 through 21 enrolled in the district (services can run through the school year the student turns 22). Preschoolers not yet enrolled: start with FDLRS Child Find.
First step. Put the request in writing to your child's school — the teacher, the ESE contact, or the principal — and keep a copy. The school must then ask for your signed consent before evaluating. If you get stuck, use the district contact below.
| County | Who to ask at school | District help |
|---|---|---|
| Orange (OCPS) | Your child's teacher or the school's ESE staffing specialist (OCPS doesn't post a specific contact — ask the front office) | ESE Dept. 407-897-6420 · Parent Support Ticket (opens in a new tab) · Referrals & Evaluations FAQ (opens in a new tab) |
| Volusia (VCS) | Principal or PST Chair (elementary); MTSS Chair or ESE Assistant Principal (middle, high) | ESE Parent Liaison 386-378-5522 · Parent Q&A (opens in a new tab) |
| Alachua (ACPS) | Your child's school | ESE office 352-955-7676 · ESE page (opens in a new tab) |
| Duval (DCPS) | Teacher, ESE case manager / ESE lead, or school counselor; then assistant principal or principal | ESE Solution Center 904-348-7853, esesolutioncenter@duvalschools.org · Who to contact first (opens in a new tab) |
Timelines. Florida rule 6A-6.0331 sets these limits statewide: 30 days from your request for the district to get your consent or give you a written refusal, and 60 calendar days from consent to finish the evaluation (not counting school holidays, breaks, summer, or long student absences). Volusia and Orange restate these on their pages; Alachua and Duval don't post them.
Your rights. You receive the Notice of Procedural Safeguards when your child is referred for evaluation, at least once a year, and any time you ask. Alachua posts it in 12 languages on its ESE page. Free help understanding it: Family Network on Disabilities, 1-800-825-5736.
Cost. Free.
Not yet confirmed: whom OCPS wants a written request addressed to; a direct ESE department phone for Volusia.