Exceptional Student Education Strategies for Optimal Success

ESE SOS

Exceptional Student Education

Strategies for Optimal Success

Sienna Rose, M.Ed.

Florida Licensed School Counselor

ESE Educator

Independent Special Education Advocate

Located in Alachua County-Serving all of Florida

386-283-9715

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As a special education advocate, my mission is to help families obtain the most comprehensive and effective exceptional student education services possible, in order to remove all barriers to growth, learning, and emotional well-being, in school, at home, and in the community.

I am a self-employed, licensed Florida School Counselor, with additional certification in Exceptional Student Education, primary education age 3-grade three, competencies 1 and 2 of the reading endorsement, English 6-12, and social science 6-12. I am not an attorney. In the capacity of a private, special education advocate, I can assist you through the process of obtaining and/or improving ESE for your child.

All children with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education, or FAPE.

Under IDEA 2004, Exceptional Student Education means: specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of the child with a disability. It may also include related services, defined as developmental, corrective and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. I will make sure your child is evaluated in all areas of suspected disability, integrate all data and evaluations, and apply them in a meaningful way to document and support the need for the most comprehensive Individual Education Plan-IEP that your child is entitled to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-IDEA 2004.

McKay Scholarship Update: Under a new law, which became effective July 1, 2011, students currently on a 504 Accommodation Plan are now eligible for the McKay Scholarship. However: the funding for the new 504 McKay is significantly less than expected-lower than the level one amount for an IEP. In addition, the dollar amount for students on an IEP has been reduced at all levels, across the board. Follow this link for the updated 2011-12 IEP McKay Funding by county. Follow this link for the new 504 Plan McKay Funding by county. Many parents who have been denied ESE for their children accepted a 504 plan, rather than pursue ESE eligibility and an IEP. They may now find that they cannot afford private school tuition on the lesser, 504 McKay Scholarship. The difference in out of pocket expense over the course of the child's education is huge! If you feel your child is ESE eligible, but the school says no, it is worth the time and investment to review his records and challenge the school.

I believe it is only Appropriate that a Free Public Education for disabled children should truly seek to maximize the potential of each child in special education. We must not, out of monetary considerations, deliberately withhold instructional and therapeutic interventions that would further academic and developmental progress. All children deserve the best education society can provide. For disabled children, the stakes are higher; a public education tailored to their unique needs is their greatest, perhaps only chance to live a happy and productive life.