Pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 618, Public Education Agencies (PEAs), including secure care facilities, must report exit and discipline information for students with disabilities in addition to SPED participation. 

The Arizona Department of Education requires PEAs to submit this data through Arizona Education Data Standards (AzEDS). Specifically, PEAs must submit:

• Exit data for students with disabilities who are ages 14–21
  • Students who were in special education at the start of the reporting period and were not in special education at the end of the reporting period
• Discipline data for incidents that resulted in the removal of the student with a disability from their regular educational environment into AzEDS through their Student Information System (SIS). For SIS information, please refer to the attached memo. 

Applicable roles for AzEDS and the SEDD application must be requested from your local ADEConnect Entity Administrator:

• AzEDS Data Coordinator: Base Reports
• AzEDS Data Coordinator: Discipline Reports
• AzEDS Data Coordinator: SPED Reports
• ESS Discipline Data: Edit
• SEDD LEA User
• SEDD LEA Signer 

The exit and discipline data reported in AzEDS for federal reporting purposes is displayed in the Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) for PEA review and certification. Please see the Important Dates for the SEDD timeline. Additionally, the SEDD Manual contains guidance on how to review and certify your federally reported SPED data. Note that this manual is for all PEAs and includes discipline definitions outlined specifically for secure care facilities. 

Please direct questions to the ESS Data Management Inbox. 

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) is now open! The purpose of this professional learning opportunity is to prepare new special education directors for the practical operation of a special education system. Topics covered in SENDS include compliance and legal requirements, fiscal issues, assessment, general supervision, and ADE supports and resources. New special education directors serving Arizona public education agencies in their first or second year of being a special education director (including any previous positions) in the fall of 2024 are eligible to attend SENDS.

The $150 registration fee for SENDS includes:

• Registration for the in-person kick-off session on Day 1 (September 4, 2024) of the IDEA Conference* (with an option to pay to attend Days 2 and/or 3 of the conference).
• Four virtual follow-up sessions scheduled throughout the 2024–25 school year  (November 7, December 5, January 16, and February 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.).
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and CEC’s Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) special interest division.

Registration is open until July 19, 2024.

*Information regarding travel reimbursement from eligible PEAs will be provided once registration is completed.

Register for the Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) training!

If you have questions about SENDS, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.

The Lead OT/PT Community of Practice is conducting a survey about the prevalence and roles of Adapted Physical Education (APE) teachers in Arizona. Their intent is to use the information to increase collaboration among these professions and to allow the Lead OT/PT group and APE teachers to share information about relevant practices, professional learning, and resources. ADE/ESS is not affiliated with the survey but supports their goal of increased collaboration. 

Please complete the survey even if you do not currently provide APE services; once you select "no," you will not answer any additional questions. 

Join ADE and Empowerment Research for a free virtual summer conference series, June 17-20, 2024, from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  

Topics include: (participants choose and join what best meets their needs)  

1. Interruptions in Neurodevelopment: The focus is on the developmental stages and interruptions based on cognitive and emotional functioning, the long-term impacts of the pandemic, and mitigation strategies. Topics will include screening protocols, assessment tools, and school- and family-based interventions founded on neurodevelopmental ages/stages.
2. Challenges with Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) and Neglect: The focus is on the current epidemiology of abuse and neglect, the immediate and latent effects of AHT and neglect, and options for early and later interventions to address ongoing concerns.

Warning: Because of the survivors' diffuse injuries and complicated nature, graphic content is involved in this professional development session.

3. “Play” – Developing Early Neuronets for Executive Functions: The focus is on “where is the child developmentally?” The session will address capacity, capability, and interests as we look toward setting realistic expectations for children's cognitive function and social development. Topics will include “quality” that should be evident in the classroom materials and the partnership to help parents create a stimulating home learning environment. We will dig deep into the sandbox of “play is work,” sharing examples of intentionally addressing executive functions and supporting children's executive function challenges in developmentally appropriate ways.
4. Returning to Learning after Concussion (mTBI): This session updates professionals on neuroscientific approaches to intervening with a client who has experienced a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI = Concussion). The content will address types of mild brain injuries, common causes, and outcomes based on the latest Amsterdam protocol. Learn how to return students to the learning environment after a concussion successfully. A real-life scenario of teenage mTBI and the direct effects of a multi-disciplinary medical support team will be shared, including coordinated school-based strategies that aided in a successful transition and a future collegiate life.

Register through APLDor register via Zoom.

If you have questions, Christy Hegebush

Please see the following updates for Approved Private Special Education Schools in FY 25.

• The Certification Matrix for Approved Private Special Education Schools has been revised to align with requirements set forth by the Certifications Unit. Please refer to this memo regarding moderate/severe certification.
• The Approved Private Special Education School Criteria is available for review. This document will be used to provide feedback and to ensure that requirements are being met during site visits.
• Quarterly renewals were temporarily halted in FY24 but are set to resume in FY25. More information will be shared regarding this new process near the beginning of the school year.
• We are enhancing the application. A notification and an updated instruction manual will be sent when the FY25 application opens.

Please review the revised documents in this alert. They can also be found on the Private Special Education Schools web page. If you have any questions, please email the ESS Private Day and ED-P inbox.

ADE/ESS is thrilled to present three exciting opportunities connected to this year's IDEA Conference.

Arizona’s 2024 Conference Youth and Family Scholarship
​In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program, the ADE/ESS is offering scholarships to youths/young adults aged 14 to 26 and with a documented disability, family members of students with an IEP or 504 Plan, and providers accompanying a student or family member to participate in this year's conference. Recipients of the scholarship will have their conference registration fees covered and may qualify for lodging and mileage reimbursement. A limited number of scholarships are available. Apply for the Youth and Family Scholarship by June 30, 2024.

Call for Student Artwork
ADE/ESS will showcase student artwork during this year's conference. Any student, current or recent, between 3 and 26 years old with a disability, can submit a digital copy of their artwork to be considered for display at the 2024 IDEA Conference. Submit student artwork entries through May 31, 2024.

Secondary Transition Services Awards
Nominate educators and community members who provide exceptional transition services or students who have successfully navigated through the transition planning process for a Secondary Transition Services Award. Award winners will be recognized at the 2024 IDEA Conference. Make a Secondary Transition Services Award nomination through May 31, 2024.​

For more information, please download the flyer or visit the IDEA Conference web page. For questions, please e-mail the IDEA Conference Inbox.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT     

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include (subject to change):   

• Reminders 

• Trending topics 

• Top Three Integrity Errors 

• Q&A    

Please register by clicking this link. Registration is required to attend. If you have any questions, please email the ESS Data Management inbox.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT 

FY24 Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) Training Opportunities

We are thrilled to announce the inaugural training sessions for the Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) hosted by the Exceptional Student Services Data Management team. These training sessions include both an in-person workshop and a live webinar.

SEDD serves as a comprehensive platform for Public Education Agencies (PEAs) to securely access federally mandated special education and statewide public data with redaction features. This training particularly benefits PEAs and secure care facilities seeking efficient data management solutions.

In anticipation of the application opening on May 8, 2024, we are conducting training sessions. Please register only once, as each session will cover the same material. Below, is the schedule for the upcoming SEDD training sessions:

Online Training via Zoom:
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

In-Person Training:
Location: 100 N. 15th Ave. 
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Date: Monday, June 3, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Please note that registration is mandatory. Click the respective link (on the date) for the session that best aligns with your schedule to complete your registration.
Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact ESS Data Management.

Teach Camp registration is filling up fast! It is hard to believe that this summer, we will launch Teach Camp for the fifth year! Teach Camp provides professional learning and supports that are specifically designed for beginning special education teachers. Teach Camp aims to increase the retention of special educators by providing our newest special education teachers with the tools that they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom. Of this year’s participants, 97.5 % reported that their work-related knowledge had increased because they attended camp, and 100% reported an increase in their work-related motivation!

Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in Fall 2024. Recent graduates from traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certified teachers, and veteran general education teachers transitioning to special education are all welcome. Please note that participants must be currently employed in a school district or charter as a special education teacher for the 2024-2025 school year, and participants must have no more than two years of special education teaching experience in total (including previous positions) to be eligible to attend Teach Camp.   

The cost is only $250 per teacher and includes:  

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held July 9–11, 2024, at the Rio Salado Conference Center in Tempe* (breakfast and lunch provided)  
• One-day follow-up session in February 2025 in Phoenix* (lunch provided)   
• A copy of The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers  
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children  
• Additional valuable resources   

Here are some of the things this year’s campers had to say about their experience at camp:

“This is one of the BEST conferences I have attended. Not just because of all the valuable resources provided, knowledgeable and accessible presenters, materials given... Mainly because of all the Teach Camp representatives who were so kind, inspiring, happy, motivating, encouraging, and attentive!! To me, this was the best part of the training. I felt cared for!”

“The information provided was invaluable. Learned many new things and especially loved the resource toolbox. The whole training was worth it just to have that info to tap later.”

“Too many to mention just one. All the individual sessions! Carol Kosnitsky's knowledge, experience, passion and energy just lights a fire under you and gets you excited. Great to meet so many of you that work at Dept of Ed in ESS, gave me a great understanding of where the support system starts.  LOVE the Survival Guide book, I'm on the last chapter and there are so many great resources in there. It reinforces and supports Teach Camp!”

“The best thing was the staff who planned and executed the camp. They thought of everything. BEST seminar I ever attended, and the follow-up day was very anticipated. It did not disappoint. Practicality of information presented; I absolutely enjoyed Carol Kosnitsky!”

Registration for Teach Camp is open until June 25, 2024*, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the PEA, not the special education teacher. On-site registration is not available.

*To be considered for travel reimbursement, participants must register at the link below by May 17, 2024.

Begin the registration process for Teach Camp!

Please feel free to email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp.   

ADE/ESS and STAR Autism Support are collaborating to offer PEAs free resources, in-person and virtual professional learning, and additional coaching and technical assistance this summer.

2-Day STAR Comprehensive Workshop 

This comprehensive two-day workshop provides participants with detailed examples and practice activities on implementing the evidence-based practices identified in the National Standards Report (2009). The STAR Program (Arick, Loos, Falco, and Krug, 2015), a research-based curriculum, is used to provide examples. Appropriate content connected to the State Standards is presented, and detailed information on the three evidenced-based instructional methods of discrete trial training, pivotal response training, and teaching through functional routines will be shared.  If registered as a team, you will also be eligible to apply for free coaching hours. 

2-Day Links Comprehensive Workshop 
This two-day workshop provides participants with information on implementing evidence-based practices for secondary students using the Links Curriculum (Arick, Hoffman, and Magee-Arick, 2012). Participants will learn to use a process for assessing and teaching functional routines documented in the research. Extensive information will be given on selecting and individualizing routines and teaching specific skills to support success during routines. Participants will be given access to the Links Curriculum for the 2024-2025 school year. If registered as a team, you will also be eligible to apply for free coaching hours. 

PEAs are also encouraged to contact STAR Autism Support if they want additional individualized support for their teachers, related service staff members, and paraprofessionals.

Click here to learn more about these additional support opportunities.

We are excited to offer these opportunities to work with your teams to support students! 

Questions: Contact Bekah Anderson [email protected] or Christy Hegebush [email protected]