The federal Individuals with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act require that free, appropriate and public, education, be provided to children with disabilities. The State of Florida requires school boards to establish policies and procedures to ensure special education is provided to exceptional students, including both students with disabilities and gifted students.
The policies and procedures for exceptional student education in Florida include general guidelines covering procedural issues such as the privacy of student records, informed consent and complaints. For example, the guidelines address the circumstances under which a student with a disability who is receiving specialty instruction might refuse such specialty instruction. Such a refusal must be in writing and the parents must be notified.
The policies and procedures for the instructional programs to be provided to students with disabilities address issues such as: transportation, diagnostic and evaluation services, physical and occupational therapy and job placement. The policies also require that an educational plan be developed for students with disabilities. The procedure to follow in establishing the educational plan includes consultation with parents, identification of an individual educational plan team and timelines for the plan.
Gifted students are those who are capable of high performance because of superior intellectual development. The policies and procedures for exceptional student education in Florida provide for an evaluation process of the needs of gifted students. Where a need is identified, special instructional programs may be provided. The guidelines delineate the unique philosophical, curricular or instructional considerations in the delivery of special educational programs.