Florida Child Find: How to Get Your Child Evaluated for ESE Services

Your child is struggling in school. Teachers mention concerns. You've noticed something is different — in how they learn, how they communicate, how they handle the school day. But no one has taken formal action, and the school keeps saying "let's give it more time." This is where Florida's Child Find obligation matters.

What Child Find Is and Why It Matters

Child Find is a mandatory federal and state obligation. Under IDEA and Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-6.0331, every Florida school district is legally required to identify, locate, and evaluate all students suspected of having a disability — including students who attend private schools, are homeschooled, or are not yet enrolled.

This obligation applies to children from birth through age 21. It covers students who are currently enrolled and apparently progressing from grade to grade — meaning the fact that a student is passing classes does not eliminate the district's duty to evaluate them if there is reason to suspect a disability.

Child Find is not passive. The district cannot simply wait for a parent to ask. Teachers who suspect a disability are obligated to refer the student for evaluation. But in practice, many referrals don't happen unless a parent pushes.

Early Childhood Child Find (Birth to Age 5)

For children younger than school age, Child Find operates differently in Florida.

Birth to age 3: Early intervention services are provided through Florida's Early Steps program, which is part of the federal Part C of IDEA. Early Steps coordinates evaluations and early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or conditions that have a high probability of resulting in developmental delay. Contact Early Steps through the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council or via the First Call helpline at 211.

Ages 3-5: When a child turns three, or when early intervention concerns arise between ages three and five, services transition from Early Steps to the local school district. Florida's FDLRS (Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System) network operates Child Find programs across the state, providing developmental screenings and referrals to school district evaluation teams. FDLRS has 18 associate centers statewide — contact information is available at fdlrs.org.

For a child ages 3-5, request a Child Find screening through your local school district or FDLRS center. Screenings are free. If the screening identifies concerns, the district must evaluate.

Triggering Child Find for School-Age Students

For students already enrolled in school, the fastest way to trigger Child Find is a written evaluation request from the parent. This is the single most important action a parent can take.

Your written request should:

• Be addressed to the school principal and the ESE Staffing Specialist (or ESE Contact) at the school
• State clearly: "I am formally requesting a full and individual initial evaluation for exceptional student education (ESE) services under IDEA and Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-6.0331 for my child, [name], who is enrolled in [grade]."
• Describe specific observations — academic, behavioral, social, communication, or functional concerns
• Note any existing medical or psychological diagnoses
• Note that you understand the district has 60 school days from the date you sign consent to complete the evaluation

Submit the request by email or hand-delivered with a date-stamped copy for your records. An email creates a paper trail with a timestamp. A handwritten note handed to the principal does not.

The 60-School-Day Timeline

Once you sign the consent form authorizing the evaluation, Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-6.0331 gives the district 60 school days to complete the evaluation. This timeline includes all assessment activities, not just scheduling — the full evaluation, all related assessments, and the eligibility determination meeting must be completed within 60 school days.

Note: 60 school days, not calendar days. This means the clock pauses during summer break, winter break, and spring break. If you sign consent in November, "60 school days" could stretch into March when breaks are factored in. Many families are surprised by this.

There are limited exceptions to the timeline — if a parent repeatedly fails to produce the student for evaluation, or if both parties agree in writing to a 30-day extension. The district cannot unilaterally extend the timeline by claiming staff shortages, scheduling difficulties, or backlog.

If the 60-day deadline passes without a completed evaluation, that is a violation of Florida law. Document the timeline carefully and file a state complaint with FLDOE BEESS if the evaluation is not completed on time.

What Happens When the School Refuses to Evaluate

Schools sometimes respond to evaluation requests by saying:

• "We need to try MTSS interventions first"
• "Your child doesn't show enough signs of a disability"
• "We'll put them on the list"
• "Let's give it until the end of the year"

None of these are legally valid responses to a written evaluation request. If a disability is suspected, the school must either provide written consent for the evaluation and begin the process, or provide written notice explaining why it is refusing to evaluate. That written refusal is a Prior Written Notice under F.A.C. Rule 6A-6.03311, and it must include the reason for refusal, the data relied upon, and the alternatives considered.

If the school refuses to evaluate, you have the right to:

1. File a state complaint with FLDOE BEESS alleging a Child Find violation ([email protected])
2. Request an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense to provide data the district lacks
3. File a due process complaint at DOAH challenging the refusal

For the MTSS delay specifically: the rule is unambiguous. MTSS cannot be used to delay or deny an evaluation. If you have submitted a written evaluation request and the school is continuing to push MTSS, document this in writing and file a state complaint immediately.

Private Schools and Home School

Florida's Child Find obligation extends to students with disabilities who attend private schools within the district's boundaries. Private school students are entitled to a Child Find evaluation, though the services they receive if found eligible are different from those provided to public school students.

For homeschooled students, the district is also required to conduct Child Find activities. If your homeschooled child may have a disability, you can contact the school district's ESE department directly to request a Child Find evaluation.

The Florida IEP & 504 Advocacy Playbook includes the exact written evaluation request template with F.A.C. citations, timeline tracking guidance, and state complaint language for districts that delay or refuse to evaluate under Child Find obligations.

See more United States guides →