More than 400,000 Florida students receive Exceptional Student Education services each year, making Florida one of the nation’s largest special education systems. Lawmakers have been making adjustments to school funding formulas, scholarship programs, and Exceptional Student Education (ESE) allocations. For families, these updates can sound overwhelming, especially when headlines focus on budgets rather than on how children will be affected in the classroom. The good news is that changes to funding do not automatically reduce a student’s legal right to receive services outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Understanding what is changing—and what remains protected—can help parents make informed decisions and confidently advocate for their children.
