Resources - State Legislation & Policy
Employment First Initiative
Florida became an Employment First state by Executive Order in October, 2013. Employment First is both a philosophy and policy. It means that employment is the first option for all individuals, including those with significant disabilities.
Employment Transition Plan Template and Instructions
Project 10 developed an Employment Transition Plan Template and Employment Transition Plan Instructions with the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) to guide school district staff in the completion of the employment transition plan, which is required by section 1003.4282(11)(2)(a-d).
This plan must be completed for any student with a disability for whom the individual educational plan (IEP) team has determined that mastery of academic and employment competencies is the most appropriate way for a student to demonstrate his or her skills. It is recommended that school districts build flexibility into the plan to ensure student mastery of competencies and success in the workplace.
Please note: Districts are not obligated to use this template. The template is available in Microsoft Word which enables users to modify the plan to fit the need of the student.
End of Course Assessment Results for Students with Disabilities (pdf)
This June 27, 2011, Memorandum from the Florida Department of Education addresses two questions regarding End of Course assessment results for students with disabilities. This file can be downloaded from the Documents & Files box on the right side of this page.
Florida Executive Order on Employment of Persons with Disabilities (pdf)
Governor Rick Scott issued Executive Order 13-284 on October 8, 2013, to affirm Florida's commitment to the employment of persons with disabilities, define employment as integrated paid employment, and develop and implement an interagency agreement among agencies. The cooperative agreement will formalize state efforts and maintain the focus on specific objectives for improving opportunities for persons with disabilities. This file can be downloaded from the Documents & Files box on the right side of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions: Students Served in Exceptional Student Education: Completing the Middle School Career/Education Planning Course and ePEP (doc)
This FAQ, revised June 10, 2010, describes how Exceptional Student Education requirements are linked to the middle school career/education planning course and electronic Personal Education Planner (ePEP). This file can be downloaded from the Documents & Files box on the right side of this page.
Graduation Requirements
This web page from the Bureau of Curriculum & Instruction contains links to Florida statutes specifying graduation requirements as well as information on diploma options, Florida’s Guide to Public High School Graduation, Pathways to Success, and graduation program planning resources.
House Bill 1255: Accelerated High School Graduation Options (pdf)
On July 22, 2011, the Florida Department of Education issued a memorandum discussing provisions of HB 1255: Accelerated High School Graduation Options which was recently signed into law.
Secondary Transition, Florida Department of Education
The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services has created a webpage with state and national resources, state contacts, regulations and general information on secondary transition for parents, educators and professionals.