Non-public ESE Evaluations

"Child Find" is the process of locating, identifying, and evaluating all students residing in the state who are in need of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and related services.  Home Education students are evaluated by the school district in which they reside.  Private school students may be evaluated by the school district in which they reside or by the school district in which their private school is located.

If your child is in kindergarten or a higher grade, contact the ESE Services Coordinator for Pinellas County Schools at 588-6503 to begin the process.  If you child is not yet in kindergarten, please review the flyer below for the appropriate contact.

What happens after you call 727-588-6503?

You’ll receive an email asking for:

• Your child’s birth certificate
• Your child’s school physical
• Your child’s immunization record
• A Home Language Survey (we’ll send you the form)
• A Parent Input Form (we’ll send you the form)
• An Authorization for Release of Information (this lets us contact your child’s school for information about their progress)
• Any private reports you have about your child (such as evaluations or therapy reports)
• If you homeschool: details about your curriculum, your child’s progress, and work samples that show your concerns.

Next Steps

• You’ll get a calendar invite and meeting link for a meeting within 30 days.
  At this Initial Evaluation Discussion, the team will review all the information and decide if a disability is suspected.

• If a disability is suspected:
  We’ll ask for your written consent to do a formal evaluation.

  • If you agree and sign, the district has 60 days (not counting school holidays) to complete the evaluations.
  • After evaluations are finished, the team will meet again to review results and decide if your child qualifies for Exceptional Student Education (ESE).

• If your child qualifies:
  You’ll be asked to give consent for your child to receive ESE services.

Additional Information

• If you plan to use the FES-UA Scholarship, an IEP meeting will be scheduled, and a Matrix will be completed afterward.
• If you plan to enroll your child in a public school, the school will develop an IEP within 20 days of your child’s first day of attendance, and a Matrix will be completed afterward.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides procedural safeguards for parents of students with disabilities.  If you have questions about your procedural safeguards, the PCS ESE staff assigned to your request, will be happy to answer them.

Link to the document on the Florida DOE website

1. Determine Continued Eligibility

• To assess whether the student continues to meet the criteria for a disability category under IDEA.
• This ensures that services are provided only to students who still qualify.

2. Review Educational Needs

• To identify the student’s current academic achievement and functional performance.
• Helps determine if the student’s needs have changed and whether adjustments to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) are necessary.

3. Inform IEP Development

• Reevaluation provides updated data to guide decisions about goals, accommodations, modifications, and services in the IEP.

4. Consider Changes in Placement

• If there is a question about changing the student’s educational setting or level of support, reevaluation data is used to make informed decisions.

5. Address Parent or Teacher Concerns

• If parents or educators suspect new areas of need or question the appropriateness of current services, reevaluation helps clarify those concerns.

Reevaluations are valid for three years.  Parentally placed private school students with disabilities are offered a reevaluation every three years.  Parents of home school parents can request a reevaluation if the student's needs have changed.

Students with a Current Services Plan

• If your child is currently receiving ESE Services through a Services Plan at a participating not-for-profit private school, please contact the contracted teacher or Speech Language Pathologist providing the service to make your request.
• For assistance, call 727.793.2704.

Home School or Private School Students (not currently receiving services)

• If your child's reevaluation is out-of-date or a reevaluation has not occurred within one year, call 727.588.6503, to make a request for an ESE reevaluation and begin the process.
• If you are requesting a reevaluation within one year of a prior evaluation, please complete the PCS Non-Public Reevaluation Form and submit it along with any pertinent documentation to the Non-public ESE Compliance Office (medicic@pcsb.org). The information will be reviewed and a team member will schedule a meeting to consider a reevaluation within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the completed form and identified documentation.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school districts are not required to provide IEPs for students enrolled in private school or home education, as those students are not accessing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (F.A.P.E.).  The IEP, developed in collaboration with the parent, outlines the district's offer of FAPE.

In Florida, district teams develop IEPs for students who are eligible to generate a Matrix score for students accessing the Florida Empowerment Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA).

The Matrix of Services is used to determine the level of service a student needs based on the IEP and to assign the appropriate funding level under Florida's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) system.  Completion of the Matrix is the responsibility of the district and must be done in accordance with the Florida Department of Education (DOE) guidelines.  This process ensures consistency, accuracy, and appropriate use of state and federal funds.

Following an IEP meeting, a Matrix of Services will be completed by a trained district staff member.  

The individual completing the matrix: 

• Must be trained in matrix procedures  

• Must be knowledgeable about the services the student would receive if enrolled in a public school. 

The matrix score: 

• Will be based on the services and supports documented in the student's current IEP

• Does not include input from the parent.

Upon completion of the matrix: 

• The matrix level will be provided to the parent. 

• The matrix level will be provided to the Florida Department of Education, as applicable.  

• Notification will occur within 10 calendar days of completion of the matrix.

If a parent disagrees with the completed matrix, the parent may submit a written request for review of the current matrix to the Non-Public ESE Compliance Office (medicic@pcsb.org).  

A review may be requested to address the following potential errors: 

• Technical errors (a minor, procedural, or clerical mistake that does not change the meaning, intent, or validity of the information being submitted); 

• Typographical errors; or 

• Calculation errors. 

Upon receipt of a review request:  

• The matrix will be reviewed by a different trained reviewer who was not involved in the original matrix completion. 

• The review will be conducted using the student's current IEP and supporting documentation available at the time the matrix was completed. 

• No new information, documentation, or parent input will be considered as part of the review process. 

• The review is conducted as an internal process and does not include parent participation or consultation.  

The outcome of the review will be communicated to the parent in writing within 30 calendar days of the received written request.   The district is not required to provide justification for individual indicators or scores.