Polk County Public Schools, Parents
How well is you school supporting your involvment in your child's education? Please click the link above for more information about the upcoming survey.
The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is a network of state and federally-funded centers which provide support services to exceptional student educators, children, parents, and community agencies. There are 19 associate centers in the state of Florida. FDLRS Sunrise services are available to exceptional education administrators, supervisors, and teachers, as well as parents and others interested in the education of exceptional children.
Learn more by visiting the FDLRS page.
The overall aim of the Gifted Program is to provide educational opportunities that help a student extend his/her learning, develop intellectual potential, enhance achievement and become aware of his/her affective needs.
Learn more by visiting the Parent's Gifted page, the Gifted Program's District Information page, or the Professional Development Opportunities page.
SEDNET District XIV serves Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties. The network includes eighteen regional projects throughout the state of Florida. Local multiagency forums in District XIV provide a process for community planning and the development of collaborative initiatives with the goal of promoting a quality, comprehensive system of care for students with or at risk of emotional/behavioral disabilities. In addition, the following statewide initiatives are supported: counseling, transition, decrease in suspensions, transformation, Positive Behavior Support and Problem Solving/Response to Intervention. Project activities focus on helping students participate fully in the least restrictive environment in both the school and community. These activities include, but are not limited to linking community services to students and their families, staff development in behavior management, social skills, mental health and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, technical assistance to classroom teachers, administrators and agency personnel relating to students with emotional/behavioral disabilities, and participation in collaborative interagency initiatives to enhance and increase services for students and their families.
Amy Looker, SEDNET Project Manager/PBS District Coordinator
863-519-8864
The Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) Program is designed to provide support for students with learning disabilities that significantly impact their academic achievement in the areas that may include language, reading, writing and mathematics.
A learning disability is a specific weakness that interferes with one’s ability to store, process or use information effectively, which causes learning difficulties that are not the result of other factors or conditions.
Contact Information- Barbara Pack, SLD Facilitator
The mission of the Speech/Language Program is to provide necessary supports and training for students with communication deficits to the district, schools, teachers, students and parents. Please visit the ESE department pages for more information.
Contact: Meryl Chayt, Speech/Language Program Specialist
The Polk County School System has entered partnerships with Florida Southern College,
Warner Southern College, University of South Florida, Ridge Vocational Technical Center,
and Traviss Vocational Technical Center to create a unique program for students who desire
independence. This is one program option for ESE students who are 18-21 years old and
want to work toward achieving their desired post-school outcomes. The program provides a
college atmosphere with same age peers and affords each student an opportunity to plan a
transition into adulthood through continued education, work experience, and leisure activities.
Learn more by visiting the Transition Services page.