SpectrumBeaconWhat this is / who it is for
This playbook is for a parent who wants a district evaluation in Florida. Your child may be in public school, in a private school you chose, or in home education. The federal duty to find and evaluate children still applies. The plan you walk out with is not always an IEP.
If you take FES-UA, you often need a Matrix of Services even when you do not want a public-school placement. Read both playbooks. Do not treat them as the same document.
This page does not rewrite the federal notes. Child Find is the duty to find and evaluate. The live federal page for that duty is IEP vs 504, and private school rights.
The FES-UA exception Florida DOE wrote down
The district of residence is not obligated to make FAPE available or to develop an IEP for a parentally placed student. However, if the student is on FES-UA and the parent needs the matrix of services updated, wants to see FAPE options, or intends to enroll in public school, the district must evaluate, determine eligibility, and, if found eligible, develop an IEP.
VerifiedSource: Florida DOE Technical Assistance Paper DPS-2024-125, question B-17 · How we verify
The 30-day IEP and matrix clock
If your child has no IEP or matrix, you may request an evaluation from your local school district at any time. When you request a new or revised matrix, Florida law requires the district to complete the IEP and matrix level of services within thirty (30) days of the request.
VerifiedSource: 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Matrix Level of Services · How we verify
Path A. Public school
- Put the request in writing. Date it.
- The district needs your written consent before it evaluates.
- Federal IDEA regulations say the evaluation must be finished within 60 days after you consent, unless your state set a different timeline. Ask your district which clock it uses. Source: IEP vs 504 and private-school rights.
- Eligibility is a team decision. A private diagnosis does not automatically create an IEP.
- If eligible, the IEP meeting must happen within 30 calendar days of the eligibility decision.
FDLRS Child Find is the free screening door for many children about 34 months through age 5 who are not already in public school or Head Start. See FDLRS on the Florida hub. Under 3, the parallel door is Early Steps.
Path B. Private school you chose, or home education
Under IDEA, these children are parentally placed. The FES-UA handbook uses the same words. The district still owes Child Find. The district does not owe a full IEP that delivers FAPE at the private school.
Florida Rule 6A-6.030281 says no parentally placed private school student has an individual right to some or all of the special education the student would receive in public school. An eligible child may get a services plan paid from a limited pot of federal IDEA money. Not every eligible child gets services.
Services plan versus IEP
| IEP | Services plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual setting | Public school enrollment | Parentally placed private or home education |
| What it is | The written FAPE plan | The specific equitable services the district has decided to offer |
| Individual right to full services | Yes, if eligible and enrolled | No. A child can be eligible and still receive little or nothing |
Florida DOE TAP DPS-2024-125, E-5, says an IEP is never appropriate as a services plan. A 504 plan is a third document. See the federal IEP-vs-504 note.
The written request template
Subject: Request for evaluation under Child Find, [Child’s full name], DOB [date]
Dear [ESE Director / Parentally Placed Private School office],
I am the parent of [child’s name], a resident of [county] County. [He/She] has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. [He/She] is enrolled at [public school name / private school name / home education].
I am requesting a full individual evaluation under IDEA Child Find.
[Pick the lines that are true:]
- [Child] attends our zoned public school. I am requesting eligibility and, if eligible, an IEP.
- [Child] is parentally placed at [private school / home education]. I am requesting Child Find and information about any equitable services or services plan the district offers.
- [Child] receives FES-UA. I am requesting evaluation and, if eligible, an IEP and Matrix of Services so the district can complete the matrix. I understand the FES-UA handbook gives the district 30 days to complete the IEP and matrix after this request.
I have private evaluations and will provide copies. Please send the consent forms and the next meeting dates in writing.
Thank you,
[Name, phone, email]
What this is not
- It is not a promise you will get an IEP. Eligibility is a team decision. Parentally placed children often receive a services plan, or no services, even after an evaluation.
- It is not legal advice. For a refusal or a missed timeline, a special education advocate or attorney is the right help.
Common questions
My child is on FES-UA. Do I still need an IEP?
Not always for the scholarship itself. A diagnosis can qualify. The matrix is what can change the dollar tier. See the Matrix playbook.
The private school said they will “do the IEP.”
A private school can write its own learning plan. That is not a district IEP and it is not a services plan unless the district wrote it.
Can I ask the district where I live if the private school is in another county?
Yes. The parent can request an evaluation from the district of residence. Child Find for parentally placed students is also the duty of the district where the private school is located. Ask both offices if you are unsure.
FL DOE TAP DPS-2024-125. Verified .
Sources
- 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB)
- Florida DOE TAP DPS-2024-125
- Florida Rule 6A-6.030281
- IEP vs 504 and private-school rights (Child Find clocks and the services-plan rule)
- The Florida Matrix Playbook