Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

  • Welcome Families, Students and Staff to the 2024-2025 School Year!

    Pinellas County Schools (PCS), Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department is here for you.

    How Can We Help?

    The Pinellas County Schools (PCS), Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department staff are here to support our district's vision of 100% student success and the mission to "Educate and Prepare Each Student for College, Career and Life".

    The mission of the Pinellas County Schools Exceptional Student Education is to provide quality services that support effective learning opportunities for all exceptional children. Pinellas County Schools serve approximately 13,500 students with disabilities and 10,000 students who are gifted.

    Students ages 3-21 who meet eligibility requirements receive special education services, which include, but are not limited to, educational, vocational and behavioral support. Services meet the needs of eligible students while allowing access to general education instruction with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate for each student.

    Remember...

    Partnering with your school-based team is the first recommended step in supporting student success. Having a working relationship with those that work with your child/student on a daily/weekly basis is an important piece to problem-solving.   

    Create an ongoing line of communication with your student's educational providers.  Each ESE student is assigned a classroom teacher and a case manager.  At times, a student's teacher may be the assigned case manager.  The case manager is the point person that oversees the ESE processes, compliance, and progress for an individual student.  Unresolved issues can be brought to the attention of the school-based administrator and/or school-based ESE Compliance designee.  

    Protections

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education of Children with Disabilities  Act (IDEA) provides federal funding for the education of children with disabilities and requires for the receipt of these funds and the provision of a free appropriate education (FAPE).  The statute also contains detailed due process provisions to ensure the provision of FAPE.  As a parent, you are entitled to information about your rights under I.D.E.A…  This information ensures that you have the opportunity to be a partner in the educational decisions made regarding your child.

    Annual Medicaid Letter 2023-24

    ESE Records
    Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Records can be requested by contacting your child's current or last school of attendance. 
    If you have questions about requesting copies of ESE records, contact Central Files.
    Email: centralfiles@pcsb.org
    Phone: 727-793-2701

    We are here to help.  Please complete a contact request form if you would like additional assistance.  

    Please submit the Contact Request Form

    Contact Us:
    PCS- ESE Department
    301 4th Street SW
    Largo, Florida 33770
    Main Office Number: (727)588-6032
    ESE Parent Services: (727)588-6000 Ext.2148