Public ESE vs. Private Special Education in Florida
Making the choice between a public school Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program and a specialized private school is one of the biggest decisions a specialized needs family in Florida will make.
1. The Funding Gap: How FES-UA Changes Everything
In most states, specialized private schools are out of reach for many families. However, Florida's **Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)** (formerly McKay and Gardiner) has changed the landscape.
The Bottom Line
Most Florida families with an eligible IEP can receive between **$7,000 and $10,000+** per year to attend an approved private special education school, often covering a significant portion of tuition.
2. Class Size & Ratios: The Critical Difference
Learning for special needs students is often a matter of "dosages"—how much one-on-one attention can they handle, and how much is available?
Public ESE Ratios
- Often 1:12 or 1:15 in "inclusion" settings.
- Resource rooms may still have 8+ students.
- Aides are shared across multiple classrooms.
Private Specialized Ratios
- Frequently 1:3, 1:4, or even 1:1.
- Therapeutic staff (ABA, SLP) often act as classroom support.
- Intense focus on individualized behavioral data.
3. Therapy Integration
In a public setting, therapy (SLP, OT, PT) is usually a "pull-out" service where a child leaves the classroom for 30 minutes. In specialized private schools:
- ABA Integration: Applied Behavior Analysis is often the foundation of the entire day.
- Embedded Therapy: Therapists work alongside teachers to ensure the child implements skills in a natural environment.
- Sensory Environments: The entire school is often designed with lighting, acoustics, and sensory rooms tailored to neurodivergence.
Unsure Which Option is Right?
Take our 2-minute "Florida School Finder Quiz" to see if your child matches better with a public ESE program or a specialized private setting.