Leon County Public Schools serve over 32,000 students with disabilities and offer a free and appropriate public education in compliance with the federally mandated IDEA. A continuum of services and programs is available to meet the individual needs of students eligible for special education and related services, ages 3 through 22. This continuum of services may be provided in a variety of settings, which include general education classrooms, resource rooms, specialized day schools, and hospital homebound. Eligible students are provided supports and/or services as per their Individual Education Plan (IEP) that are based on each child’s unique needs, as related to their present levels of academic achievement and functional performance.

Exceptional Student Education Division staff provides professional learning opportunities and instructional programming to facilitate high-quality instruction for students with disabilities. Supplemental services are provided in collaboration with discretionary projects such as the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System and the Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET)

Our Mission

It is the mission of the Exceptional Student Education Department to ensure that schools provide opportunities and programs that encourage students to develop academic and social skills commensurate with their abilities. The commitment of the ESE Department is to assist all school personnel in the appropriate identification, placement, and programming for exceptional students. It is recognized that parent training, community awareness, and services to families are essential to student success. This website is designed to give you an overview of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department of the Leon County School District in Tallahassee, Florida, and the many services available to students that qualify for ESE programs. If you are new to Leon County, information is included that will facilitate your child's entrance into our district and, if applicable, into an appropriate exceptional program. A brief description of each exceptional program and its eligibility requirements is provided as well as other valuable information regarding your child's Individual Education Plan (IEP).

The Exceptional Student Education Department is committed to giving exceptional students the means of achieving their annual goals as specified in each student's Individual Education Plan while educating them in the least restrictive environment.

 If you have any questions, please contact the counselor at your child's school, the ESE Program Specialist assigned to your child's school, or the Exceptional Student Education office at 850-487-7160.

For more detailed information, Visit:

Exceptional Student Education