How is the Gifted program funded in the state of Florida?
Beginning July 1, 2000 approximately 95 percent of disabled students and
virtually all gifted students generate funds at the same level as
nondisabled students. These students are reported under program cost
factors:
111 (grades PK-3 basic
programs and basic programs with ESE services)
112 (grades 4-8 basic programs and basic programs with ESE services) or
113 (grades 9-12 basic programs and basic programs with ESE services).
The legislature determines base funding levels
each year. In order to fund exceptional education and related
services for these students, an Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
Guaranteed Allocation was established by the Legislature in addition to
the basic funding. The guaranteed allocation is a fixed amount provided
each district.
For the remaining five percent of exceptional
students (those with the most intense disability needs), a Matrix of
Services is completed and these students generate funding at one of two
levels, Support Level 4 (254) and Support Level 5 (255).
All funds, both those generated on a
per-student level and the guaranteed allocation are given to the
district and it is the local school district’s responsibility to
allocate these funds according to the needs of the district. Districts
are required to spend 90 percent of all exceptional student education
funds in ESE. They are not required to spend any particular amount for
an individual program, such as gifted.
In addition, Senate Bill 1046 states the
following: “Beginning with the 2007-2008 fiscal year, a district’s
expenditure of funds from the guaranteed allocation for students in
grades 9 through 12 who are gifted may not be greater than the amount
expended during the 2006-2007 fiscal year for gifted students in grades
9 through 12.”