Exceptional Student Education at AMS

Avalon Middle School - Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

Eligibility for ESE services is determined through an MTSS-Multi-Tiered System of Supports that includes school data, response to intervention and evaluation results.

Tier 1 refers to high quality differentiated instruction that is provided to all students in the general education classroom. 

Tier 2 refers to the interventions that are provided to small groups of students who need more supports than they are receiving in the general education class.

Tier 3 refers to the interventions that are provided to students based on individual skill need.

* ESE students, with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or a Gifted EP (Education Plan), will have their individual needs considered when making their class schedule and determining level of supports and services.

* ESE Policy and Programs are described at OCPS Exceptional Student Education Program and the Florida Department of Education website at Florida Exceptional Student Education Program

*Avalon MS is currently an inclusive environment, where all students are supported within general education classrooms.  The district does also offer other separate class or specialized school options for students who may require supports beyond the general education classroom.

OCPS Feeder Pattern Schools for Special ESE Program Needs:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder- Discovery MS or for Intensive ASD needs-Odyssey MS
  • Moderate Intellectual Disability-Corner Lake MS/Significant Intellectual Disability-Union Park MS
  • Hearing Impaired and AAIM - Blankner School
  • Physically Impaired - Union Park MS
  • Emotional Behavioral Disability-6th Legacy MS

ESE Support at Avalon Middle School

Daily Support Facilitation Services:

We have a 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade ESE teacher, who supports the students with IEP’s, in each grade level. He/she offers daily Support Facilitation in Math and/or Language Arts classes. He/she pushes into the double block math and language arts classes, so that two teachers can provide small group, targeted instruction/intervention. A second teacher may also push into some Science and Social Studies classes to offer additional MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) to students in need.

Consultation Services:

Monthly communication occurs when a student with an IEP is more independent/on grade level. The ESE teacher and a General Education teacher meet monthly to discuss/document how that child is progressing toward the IEP goals.

Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy:

Itinerant services are available based on eligibility, educational relevance and the IEP.

Gifted Services:

Gifted students are often scheduled into a Gifted Certified teacher’s classroom one period per day. Gifted students are scheduled into Advanced or Honors classes, based on their FSA scores and other school data.

For additional information about our ESE program at AMS, please call 407-207-7839:
Erin Pearson x 530-2111 [email protected].