The Special Education Observatory · South Atlantic · South
Special education in Florida
Students with IEPs in Florida, where they spend the school day, and all 83 districts, from 2024–25 federal data.
- 425,127school-age students with IEPs5.8% of the national total
- 14.9%of enrolled students have an IEP0.5 points below the nation (15.3%) · 28th of 51
- 78.4%in general education 80% or more of the day10.5 points above the nation (67.9%) · 9th of 51
- 14.3%in general education less than 40% of the day1.3 points above the nation (13.0%) · 12th of 51
- 83districts reporting a countNone withheld for privacy
Florida, district by district
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Where students learn
Every setting the federal educational environments file reports for school-age students with IEPs in Florida, beside the national share.
- In general education 80% or more of the day78.4%
- In general education 40% to 79% of the day4.1%
- In general education less than 40% of the day14.3%
- Separate school2.2%
- Residential facility0.1%
- Homebound or hospital0.5%
- Correctional facility0.2%
- Parentally placed in private school0.3%
| Setting | Students | Share | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| In general education 80% or more of the day | 332,866 | 78.4% | 67.9% |
| In general education 40% to 79% of the day | 17,028 | 4.1% | 15.2% |
| In general education less than 40% of the day | 60,515 | 14.3% | 13.0% |
| Separate school | 8,903 | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Residential facility | 511 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Homebound or hospital | 2,032 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Correctional facility | 618 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Parentally placed in private school | 1,084 | 0.3% | 1.8% |
What may be driving it
Where Florida sits among the 50 states and DC on five measures, beside the nation.
- Identification rate14.9%28th highest of 51
- In general education 80% or more of the day78.4%9th highest of 51
- In separate settings3.2%15th highest of 51
- Spending per student$12,69246th highest of 51
- School-age poverty (estimate)14.5%18th highest of 51
Questions worth asking
- 78.4% of students with IEPs spend 80% or more of the day in general education, against 67.9% for the nation. What makes inclusion work where it does, and what limits it elsewhere?[2]
- Spending per student is $12,692, against $17,314 for the nation. How much of the difference is cost of living, staffing levels or special education services?[6]
Every district in Florida
Search by name or city, filter by kind of agency, and select a column heading to sort. Not published always sorts last.
Showing 83 of 83
| ALACHUAGainesville · Regular school district | 28,204 | 4,002 | 14.2% | 79.6% | 12.4% | 19.4% | $11,908 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAKERMacclenny · Regular school district | 4,763 | 703 | 14.8% | 77.2% | 18.3% | 17.3% | $11,746 |
| BAYPanama City · Regular school district | 27,558 | 5,170 | 18.8% | 75.0% | 15.6% | 15.3% | $11,843 |
| BRADFORDStarke · Regular school district | 2,848 | 656 | 23.0% | 84.6% | 13.9% | 27.8% | $12,025 |
| BREVARDViera · Regular school district | 71,198 | 12,610 | 17.7% | 83.5% | 10.7% | 12.3% | $11,956 |
| BROWARDFort Lauderdale · Regular school district | 243,553 | 37,717 | 15.5% | 71.9% | 23.1% | 13.3% | $13,412 |
| CALHOUNBlountstown · Regular school district | 2,031 | 431 | 21.2% | 87.2% | 9.3% | 24.1% | $12,652 |
| CHARLOTTEPort Charlotte · Regular school district | 16,997 | 3,324 | 19.6% | 78.5% | 12.5% | 12.1% | $14,602 |
| CITRUSInverness · Regular school district | 15,531 | 2,324 | 15.0% | 81.6% | 9.1% | 16.8% | $11,807 |
| CLAYGreen Cove Springs · Regular school district | 39,122 | 7,785 | 19.9% | 83.9% | 14.3% | 10.1% | $10,782 |
| COLLIERNaples · Regular school district | 48,252 | 7,859 | 16.3% | 83.5% | 13.2% | 11.9% | $15,064 |
| COLUMBIALake City · Regular school district | 9,508 | 1,521 | 16.0% | 81.3% | 15.8% | 22.1% | $10,841 |
| DEAF/BLINDSt Augustine · State operated agency | 512 | 479 | 93.6% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| DESOTOArcadia · Regular school district | 4,155 | 620 | 14.9% | 78.2% | 18.2% | 31.4% | $13,593 |
| DIXIECross City · Regular school district | 2,001 | 330 | 16.5% | 85.8% | 10.9% | 28.4% | $12,912 |
| DJJ DistrictTallahassee · Other local education agency | 1,024 | 272 | 26.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| DUVALJacksonville · Regular school district | 130,054 | 21,169 | 16.3% | 80.7% | 14.2% | 13.1% | $12,290 |
| ESCAMBIAPensacola · Regular school district | 36,768 | 5,829 | 15.9% | 83.1% | 12.0% | 21.8% | $12,721 |
| FAMU LAB SCHTallahassee · Other local education agency | 519 | 27 | 5.2% | 100.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| FAU LAB SCHBoca Raton · Other local education agency | Not published | 69 | Not published | 100.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| FL VIRTUALOrlando · Other local education agency | 9,035 | 842 | 9.3% | 100.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| FLAGLERBunnell · Regular school district | 13,521 | 2,357 | 17.4% | 88.8% | 9.7% | 13.4% | $11,630 |
| FRANKLINEastpoint · Regular school district | 1,234 | 258 | 20.9% | 81.0% | 3.9% | 27.8% | $17,833 |
| FSU BAYPanama City · Independent charter district | 178 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| FSU LAB SCHTallahassee · Other local education agency | 2,561 | 240 | 9.4% | 95.8% | 4.2% | Not published | Not published |
| GADSDENQuincy · Regular school district | 4,633 | 632 | 13.6% | 69.1% | 26.6% | 26.2% | $14,933 |
| GILCHRISTTrenton · Regular school district | 2,858 | 584 | 20.4% | 93.3% | 4.6% | 19.4% | $11,743 |
| GLADESMoore Haven · Regular school district | 1,852 | 342 | 18.5% | 85.7% | 7.9% | 20.7% | $15,110 |
| GULFPort St Joe · Regular school district | 1,901 | 422 | 22.2% | 87.7% | 10.0% | 19.2% | $14,881 |
| HAMILTONJasper · Regular school district | 1,590 | 187 | 11.8% | 90.4% | 6.4% | 32.7% | $14,222 |
| HARDEEWauchula · Regular school district | 4,547 | 599 | 13.2% | 76.5% | 16.2% | 22.7% | $12,694 |
| HENDRYLabelle · Regular school district | 13,698 | 1,769 | 12.9% | 80.6% | 14.9% | 23.2% | $9,492 |
| HERNANDOBrooksville · Regular school district | 23,734 | 3,597 | 15.2% | 78.7% | 16.5% | 13.0% | $11,535 |
| HIGHLANDSSebring · Regular school district | 12,040 | 2,109 | 17.5% | 79.7% | 17.5% | 20.4% | $13,205 |
| HILLSBOROUGHTampa · Regular school district | 220,360 | 32,197 | 14.6% | 77.1% | 11.2% | 13.2% | $11,431 |
| HOLMESBonifay · Regular school district | 3,013 | 488 | 16.2% | 84.8% | 10.5% | 25.3% | $11,995 |
| IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLSWeslaco · Independent charter district | 4,602 | 482 | 10.5% | 83.2% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| INDIAN RIVERVero Beach · Regular school district | 16,621 | 2,651 | 15.9% | 81.1% | 13.7% | 13.3% | $12,517 |
| JACKSONMarianna · Regular school district | 5,801 | 1,071 | 18.5% | 56.9% | 13.0% | 26.4% | $12,984 |
| JEFFERSONMonticello · Regular school district | 701 | 146 | 20.8% | 76.7% | 17.1% | 21.4% | $18,821 |
| KIPP CHARTERMiami · Independent charter district | 1,359 | 164 | 12.1% | 90.9% | 7.3% | Not published | Not published |
| LAFAYETTEMayo · Regular school district | 1,152 | 218 | 18.9% | 87.2% | 5.5% | 23.8% | $14,462 |
| LAKETavares · Regular school district | 47,982 | 7,718 | 16.1% | 79.6% | 13.9% | 11.3% | $11,288 |
| LAKE WALES CHARTER SCHOOLSLake Wales · Independent charter district | 5,068 | 642 | 12.7% | 86.6% | 3.0% | Not published | Not published |
| LEEFort Myers · Regular school district | 102,506 | 11,508 | 11.2% | 77.1% | 17.8% | 12.7% | $12,384 |
| LEONTallahassee · Regular school district | 31,645 | 5,110 | 16.1% | 78.4% | 13.1% | 21.5% | $11,591 |
| LEVYBronson · Regular school district | 5,564 | 1,058 | 19.0% | 79.6% | Not published | 22.9% | $11,940 |
| LIBERTYBristol · Regular school district | 1,249 | 251 | 20.1% | 79.7% | Not published | 22.0% | $13,596 |
| MADISONMadison · Regular school district | 2,267 | 410 | 18.1% | 87.3% | 11.5% | 25.2% | $12,730 |
| MANATEEBradenton · Regular school district | 54,215 | 7,723 | 14.2% | 81.9% | 14.2% | 12.4% | $12,296 |
| MARIONOcala · Regular school district | 46,352 | 7,507 | 16.2% | 74.8% | 16.4% | 19.6% | $11,943 |
| MARTINStuart · Regular school district | 18,323 | 2,866 | 15.6% | 78.5% | 13.3% | 11.3% | $13,894 |
| MATER ACADEMYHialeah Gardens · Independent charter district | 1,248 | 73 | 5.8% | 100.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| MIAMI-DADEMiami · Regular school district | 333,233 | 40,379 | 12.1% | 73.3% | 16.9% | 15.8% | $13,931 |
| MONROEKey West · Regular school district | 8,928 | 1,578 | 17.7% | 78.7% | 11.5% | 14.2% | $18,845 |
| NASSAUFernandina Beach · Regular school district | 12,575 | 1,940 | 15.4% | 80.9% | 11.5% | 10.0% | $11,625 |
| ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOLSPalm Bay · Independent charter district | 2,379 | 346 | 14.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| OKALOOSAFort Walton Beach · Regular school district | 32,047 | 5,339 | 16.7% | 81.0% | 11.5% | 12.2% | $11,131 |
| OKEECHOBEEOkeechobee · Regular school district | 6,143 | 1,447 | 23.6% | 79.3% | 15.8% | 22.8% | $12,404 |
| ORANGEOrlando · Regular school district | 205,853 | 23,239 | 11.3% | 80.8% | 14.9% | 15.9% | $12,678 |
| OSCEOLAKissimmee · Regular school district | 75,314 | 9,270 | 12.3% | 78.1% | 20.2% | 18.2% | $10,868 |
| PALM BEACHWest Palm Beach · Regular school district | 189,634 | 30,049 | 15.8% | 77.9% | 10.3% | 13.9% | $15,224 |
| PASCOLand O Lakes · Regular school district | 86,627 | 12,888 | 14.9% | 82.9% | 13.0% | 11.5% | $11,574 |
| PINELLASLargo · Regular school district | 87,876 | 12,863 | 14.6% | 80.2% | 11.5% | 13.8% | $13,166 |
| POLKBartow · Regular school district | 111,372 | 16,695 | 15.0% | 76.1% | 13.8% | 17.0% | $12,447 |
| PUTNAMPalatka · Regular school district | 10,083 | 2,247 | 22.3% | 82.2% | 9.2% | 32.1% | $13,859 |
| SANTA ROSAMilton · Regular school district | 29,624 | 4,544 | 15.3% | 77.8% | 16.8% | 12.3% | $10,692 |
| SARASOTASarasota · Regular school district | 45,246 | 7,137 | 15.8% | 81.9% | 10.7% | 11.0% | $15,458 |
| SEMINOLESanford · Regular school district | 63,934 | 10,111 | 15.8% | 82.1% | 11.4% | 9.6% | $10,857 |
| SOUTH TECH ACADEMYBoynton Beach · Independent charter district | 1,670 | 319 | 19.1% | 61.8% | 17.9% | Not published | Not published |
| ST. JOHNSSt Augustine · Regular school district | 52,324 | 8,852 | 16.9% | 86.4% | 10.3% | 4.8% | $10,280 |
| ST. LUCIEPort St Lucie · Regular school district | 49,308 | 6,692 | 13.6% | 75.1% | 16.4% | 12.9% | $12,594 |
| SUMTERBushnell · Regular school district | 10,013 | 1,799 | 18.0% | 79.0% | 13.6% | 21.3% | $14,013 |
| SUWANNEELive Oak · Regular school district | 6,004 | 971 | 16.2% | 90.4% | 5.8% | 27.3% | $11,896 |
| TAYLORPerry · Regular school district | 2,524 | 504 | 20.0% | 80.8% | 15.7% | 27.7% | $15,127 |
| TSCTallahassee · Independent charter district | 273 | 21 | 7.7% | Not published | 76.2% | Not published | Not published |
| UCPOrlando · Independent charter district | 1,455 | 738 | 50.7% | 62.1% | 7.5% | Not published | Not published |
| UF LAB SCHGainesville · Other local education agency | 1,363 | 103 | 7.6% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| UNIONLake Butler · Regular school district | 2,309 | 457 | 19.8% | 86.2% | Not published | 17.5% | $12,200 |
| VOLUSIADeland · Regular school district | 61,724 | 11,938 | 19.3% | 79.7% | 13.8% | 15.3% | $11,204 |
| WAKULLACrawfordville · Regular school district | 5,138 | 988 | 19.2% | 81.5% | 12.1% | 13.1% | $11,206 |
| WALTONDefuniak Springs · Regular school district | 12,007 | 1,872 | 15.6% | 80.2% | 12.3% | 14.3% | $15,247 |
| WASHINGTONChipley · Regular school district | 3,286 | 675 | 20.5% | 81.2% | 4.6% | 19.3% | $12,511 |
Florida in the South Atlantic division
The U.S. Census Bureau groups Florida with these states in the South Atlantic division of the South.
| State | Identification rate | 80% or more | Under 40% | School-age poverty | Spending per student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 18.5% | 64.4% | 15.3% | 13.1% | $22,201 |
| District of Columbia | 16.2% | 62.9% | 18.5% | 24.6% | $31,529 |
| Florida | 14.9% | 78.4% | 14.3% | 14.5% | $12,692 |
| Georgia | 13.2% | 60.7% | 18.5% | 16.2% | $15,763 |
| Maryland | 12.3% | 73.4% | 11.0% | 10.3% | $20,208 |
| North Carolina | 13.1% | 71.0% | 11.2% | 15.6% | $12,995 |
| South Carolina | 13.5% | 64.7% | 15.6% | 17.0% | $15,010 |
| Virginia | 14.0% | 70.8% | 9.8% | 11.1% | $17,104 |
| West Virginia | 19.0% | 62.1% | 7.7% | 18.9% | $15,490 |
How these figures are built
Both parts. Rates use only the districts that reported both parts of the fraction. A district missing either part is left out of that rate, never counted as zero.
Not published. Not published means the publisher suppressed the figure to protect student privacy, did not report it, or the count is fewer than 10 students. It is never zero.
- Students with IEPs, school age
- Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21 served under IDEA Part B on the state’s child count date.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count (file specification 002), district level, 2024–25 school year.
- Identification rate
- School-age students with IEPs as a share of all students enrolled in the same districts. A district that sends students to another district’s schools can count residents with IEPs it does not enroll, so its rate can run high.Who is counted: School-age students with IEPs, over all students enrolled prekindergarten through grade 12.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count (file specification 002), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: School-age students with IEPs (IDEA child count), over Students enrolled (Common Core of Data membership).
- In general education 80% or more of the day
- Share of school-age students with IEPs inside the regular class 80% or more of the school day.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: Students in this setting, over All school-age students with IEPs in the environments file.
- In general education less than 40% of the day
- Share of school-age students with IEPs inside the regular class less than 40% of the school day.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: Students in this setting, over All school-age students with IEPs in the environments file.
- In separate settings
- Share of school-age students with IEPs in a separate school, a residential facility, at home or in a hospital, or in a correctional facility, taken together. Counted only where all four are published.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: Students in the four separate settings, over All school-age students with IEPs in the environments file.
- School-age poverty (estimate)
- Estimated share of related residents ages 5 to 17 living in families in poverty, within the district’s boundaries. A model-based estimate with a margin of error.Who is counted: Related residents ages 5 to 17 living within the district’s boundaries.Source: SAIPE school district estimates, Income year 2024.Both parts: Residents ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty, over Related residents ages 5 to 17.
- Spending per student
- Current spending on elementary-secondary education per pupil, as the Census Bureau publishes it: spending for students outside the system’s fall membership, capital outlay and debt service are excluded.Who is counted: All students enrolled in the school system (Census fall membership).Source: Public elementary-secondary education finance data, per-pupil spending by school system (table elsec24t), Fiscal year 2024 (the 2023–24 school year).Both parts: Current elementary-secondary spending, over Fall membership.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count (file specification 002), district level, 2024–25 school year. data.ed.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year. data.ed.gov. Licensed CC BY. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Common Core of Data, district membership (final), 2024–25 school year. nces.ed.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Common Core of Data, district directory (final), 2024–25 school year. nces.ed.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. SAIPE school district estimates, Income year 2024. www.census.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances (F-33). Public elementary-secondary education finance data, per-pupil spending by school system (table elsec24t), Fiscal year 2024 (the 2023–24 school year). www.census.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, EDGE program. School district boundaries (composite), simplified for display, 2024–25 school year. nces.ed.gov. Public domain.
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