Welcome to Exceptional Student Education

February 2012 Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Tell Us! Survey for Parents of Students with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Deadline is June 30, 2012 What? The Florida Department of Education is conducting a survey designed to provide the state with information on how well schools are supporting parents’ involvement in their child’s education. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states must report this information to the federal Government on an annual basis. Who? All parents of children with disabilities and a current IEP in grades preschool to 12. (Note: This survey is not intended for parents of students in the gifted program with educational plans (EPs). Click here for the Survey

Dr. Kamela Patton, Superintendent
Beth Thompson, Chief Instructional Officer
Dr. Victoria J. Sartorio, Executive Director
Karen J. Stelmacki, Director

We hope this information is helpful and informative and will familiarize you with the services and procedures of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in the Collier County Public Schools. Collier County has 5,980 students with disabilities. If you do not find the information that you are looking for, please contact us at 239-377-0130.

Our Vision
To provide services that meet the unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs of students with disabilities, preparing them to succeed in a global society.

Our Mission
To provide a collaborative, child centered team consisting of Collier County Public School staff members, families, agencies, and other support professionals to lead our students to success.

Our Assurances

• Assure that a free appropriate public education is available to all children with disabilities residing in the school district between the ages of 3-21, inclusive, including students with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled, and/or are being served in an alternative program.
• Assure that all students with disabilities receive a full educational opportunity to show annual improvement in academic achievement and make progress toward closing the achievement gap.
• Assure that, to the maximum extent appropriate, all students with disabilities are educated in settings with their non-disabled peers, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of students with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a students is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
• Assure that all children residing within our jurisdiction, including children with disabilities who are homeless or are wards of the state and children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated.
• Assure that all personnel necessary to carry out IDEA, Part B are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained and align district professional development resources to support CCPS in meeting the goals of the three-year academic plan.
• Assure that policies and procedures have been adopted which provide procedural safeguards for children with disabilities and their parents with respect to the provision of a free appropriate public education.