June 12, 2024. Florida Today: IEPs help disabled Brevard students thrive. But the process to get one can be lengthy
IEPs help disabled students in Brevard get the necessary accommodations to thrive.
Samantha Kervin just finished her first year of high school at West Shore Jr./Sr. High School. But school hasn't always been easy for her.
Back in second grade, her teacher knew she was struggling to read. The Brevard teacher suspected she might have dyslexia, a learning disability that impacts people's ability to read and affects about 20% of the population, according to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.
It took until October of her third-grade year before she received accommodations through an IEP, or an Individualized Education Program.
The process of getting an IEP can be lengthy and involves many people. Here's a look at why a student might need an IEP, and what goes into receiving one. . . .
In Florida, 599,273 students were classified as "exceptional students" during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education. That's about 20.48% of the 2,872,309 students enrolled in public school during the 2023-2024 school year. During the same year, Brevard had 18,541 exceptional students, which was a little over 25% of all students enrolled in public school on the Space Coast. . . .
No matter when the disability is identified, IEPs generally involve collaboration with family members and multiple people within the district, and the process of writing them can be lengthy. . . .
Once an IEP has been written, it's reviewed at least once a year. School districts may not implement changes to an IEP without consulting parents or guardians, according to Florida statute.
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