What Is the Florida ACCESS Curriculum? A Parent’s Guide to Special Needs Education at Morning Star
When searching for the right educational environment for a child with special needs, parents often come across terms like ACCESS curriculum—but what does that really mean?
At Morning Star Catholic School, we use the Florida ACCESS Points Curriculum to guide instruction for students with disabilities. This standards-based framework is tailored to support students with varying levels of cognitive, academic, and functional needs. For families new to special education, understanding this curriculum can provide peace of mind and clarity about how their child will learn and grow.
What Is the Florida ACCESS Curriculum?
ACCESS stands for Access Points, which are alternate academic standards aligned with the Florida Standards but modified to reflect the learning needs of students with significant disabilities.
Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, ACCESS Points provide three levels of complexity within each subject area—Participatory, Supported, and Independent—ensuring that instruction is appropriately challenging and developmentally aligned.
These levels allow educators to meet students where they are academically and help them progress at their own pace.
How ACCESS Supports Student Success
At Morning Star, the ACCESS curriculum is more than a checklist—it’s a personalized roadmap. Teachers use ACCESS Points to:
Create individualized lesson plans
Set realistic academic goals
Track progress in a way that reflects true student growth
Ensure alignment with state standards while honoring each student’s learning profile
Whether a student is learning to identify letters or to interpret a simple story, the ACCESS curriculum ensures that learning is purposeful, measurable, and meaningful.
Areas Covered by ACCESS
The ACCESS Points are available in all major subject areas, including:
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Health and Physical Education
Visual and Performing Arts
At Morning Star, we enrich these academic areas with religion, life-skills instruction, and therapeutic supports to promote the holistic development of every child.
Who Is the ACCESS Curriculum For?
The ACCESS curriculum is designed for students with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental delays who require significant modifications to general education standards.
At Morning Star, students are assessed individually to determine the appropriate ACCESS level. This allows us to support learners across a wide range of abilities—from those working on foundational skills to those capable of more advanced academic tasks with support.
We work closely with families to ensure that academic expectations are aligned with a child’s needs, strengths, and future goals.
How Teachers Bring ACCESS to Life
Our teachers use the ACCESS curriculum to create engaging, multi-sensory learning experiences. These might include:
Using visuals, tactile tools, or adaptive technology
Providing structured routines and repetition
Incorporating music, movement, or role-play into lessons
Offering choices and accommodations to reduce anxiety and boost engagement
Because our classes are small and individualized, students receive frequent feedback and encouragement as they master skills at their own pace.
Instruction also connects academic content to real-life applications. For example, a math lesson might involve counting ingredients for a recipe in the life-skills lab, or a science lesson might include planting seeds and observing growth.
ACCESS and IEPs: Working Together
ACCESS Points play a key role in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Teachers use these benchmarks to write specific, attainable academic goals tailored to each student.
Throughout the year, Morning Star staff assess progress and adjust instruction based on the student’s performance. This ensures that learning remains dynamic and responsive—not static or formulaic.
Parents are invited to be active partners in this process. At IEP meetings, we review goals, celebrate progress, and update plans together to reflect the child’s evolving needs.
Why It Matters for Catholic Special Education
Morning Star is proud to combine the rigor and structure of the Florida ACCESS curriculum with a deeply Catholic worldview. We believe that academic growth and spiritual growth go hand in hand—and that all students deserve access to high-quality, faith-filled education.
Using ACCESS Points allows us to honor both the dignity of the learner and the call to excellence. Each student, no matter their challenges, is capable of learning, growing, and making meaningful contributions to their community.