The Walton County School District Exceptional Student Education and Psychological Services department is committed to ensuring that policies and procedures for programs and services are the highest quality available for our students. Our goal is to provide equal opportunities for the identification, evaluation, and education of exceptional students in the Least Restrictive Environment.

Psychological Services provide evaluation and consultation for students who are experiencing academic and/or behavior problems. Our staff works to develop and provide services that help ensure all children in our schools continue to make academic progress. School Psychologists work with students, parents, teachers and school administrators to test, evaluate, counsel, observe, and assist in determining the special needs of students who are experiencing school adjustment problems.

The Department of Exceptional Education and Psychological Services coordinates programs throughout the Walton County School District for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and for students within the very superior range of intelligence - Gifted Students. Staff members are charged with ensuring that each SWD in the district has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that provides to the student a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and that each student identified as Gifted has an Education Plan. District staff works with principals, counselors, ESE teachers, and general education teachers to ensure effective programming and compliance with federal and state laws. Eligibility for special education and related services and eligibility for Gifted services are in accordance with Volume I-B, Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules, and the District’s Special Programs and Procedures Manual.

The process for determining eligibility for Exceptional Education has changed greatly over the past few years in the State of Florida. These changes have impacted Exceptional Education and Psychological Services and have redefined the role of the School Psychologist.

With less emphasis on formal testing and greater emphasis on Response to Intervention (RtI), all school districts in the State have shifted from the “refer-test-place” model for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) to a problem solving approach based on the individual needs of all students. Interventions in general education must be implemented and the student’s progress must be monitored pursuant to Rule 6A-6.0331, FAC, prior to ESE eligibility.

The School Psychologist supports the School-based Intervention Teams (SBIT) in the school district during the Problem Solving/Response to Intervention (PS/RtI) process. Student data is collected, the data is analyzed, and educational decisions for students are based on evidence of student progress. If the SBIT recommends specific assessments during the PS/RtI process, the School Psychologist may be asked to assist. However, assessment is only one of the resources the School Psychologist can provide. The School Psychologist is one member of a multidisciplinary team who consults and collaborates with other team members to determine the most effective behavioral or academic interventions to address a student’s special area of concern.

The following is a link to a new parent resource provided by the Florida Department of Education: Evaluations for Special Education Services: Information for Parents – 2010 . Some questions parents may have are addressed in this brochure.