Special Education Directors,

Please review this memo regarding the extension of CARES Act funding for IDEA compensatory services.

E-mail the ESS Program Management team with questions on how to submit a compensatory services claim.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

Integrity Rule -40055 – Update to SPED Exit Validation Matrix

An enhancement to Integrity Rule -40055 will be introduced into the integrity process on FY21 SPED data shortly. This update is a continuation of our effort to ensure clean data for the state. Updated one-sheet Integrity Tools are available on our AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage for troubleshooting tips.

Updates to the SPED Exit Validation Matrix will now be reflected in Integrity Rule -40055.

Most notably the SPED Exit Code SPED13 (End of School Year) may only be reported with an Enrollment Year End Code.  Updates to allowable SPED Exit Codes with Enrollment Year End Codes have also been addressed.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions regarding this update.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT 

NEW FY21 ESS Discipline Data Training Webinar  

ESS Data Management will be hosting a training webinar for the ESS Discipline Data Collection (DDC) on April 5, 2021, from 10am – 12pm. Please join us to learn about new updates and how to report your DDC data accurately and timely. If you’re unable to join us, we will be posting a recording of the webinar on our website.

Registration is required to attend: Register for the ESS Discipline Data webinar.  

The ESS DDC application opens March 15, 2021.

If you have any questions, please direct them to [email protected]. 

Special Education Directors,

Please share the following message about upcoming math professional learning with general and special education teachers who teach mathematics.

March Math Office Hours

The ADE Math Team has scheduled office hours to allow educators to meet together to network, problem-solve, and develop solutions to allow all Arizona teachers and students to continue to feel supported and to be successful.

Grade-band meetings are provided for all math teachers, including special education teachers! These grade-band meetings will include opportunities for networking, problem solving, and sharing different implementation models. Office hours are one hour long with an additional 30 minutes at the end for a Q & A session.  Participants can earn one hour of professional development credit for each session attended.

Elementary Math Office Hours (Grades K–5)

Monday, March 29 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. with Q & A from 4:30–5:00 p.m.

Register in advance for the Grades K–5 meeting.

Middle School Math Office Hours (Grades 5–8)

Tuesday, March 30 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. with Q & A from 4:30–5:00 p.m. 

Register in advance for the Grades 5–8 meeting.

High School Math Office Hours (Grades 8–12)

Wednesday, March 31 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. with Q & A from 4:30–5:00 p.m.

Register in advance for the Grades 8–12 meeting.

Note: accommodations must be requested at least one week in advance of each webinar.

Please email Jenifer Fernandez or email Rob Hilliker with any questions.

Special Education Directors,

The purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Compliance Testing is to ensure that local education agencies (LEAs) do not supplant state and local funds with IDEA federal funding sources per 34 C.F.R. §300.203(b). Any LEA that received federal entitlement funds for the IDEA must be tested for MOE Compliance.

While COVID-19 is still a factor in the state of Arizona, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has not issued any waivers or exceptions for any states in testing for IDEA MOE. As such, until ESS receives updated information from OSEP that provides an exemption, we are required by federal law to complete testing for IDEA MOE.

The ESS Program Management team will host a 90-minute webinar on March 9, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Register for the webinar by March 7. This year’s preliminary compliance test results show that 125 out of 640 LEAs are at risk of failing to meet the compliance standard. During the webinar, the ESS Program Management team will guide LEAs through the MOE application and each of the allowable exceptions and reductions. The team will also explain how the MOE Compliance test results may be used to inform your LEA of how to budget in FY2022 to meet the MOE Eligibility test later this year.

Please review the FY2021 MOE Compliance Testing Window memo and e-mail the ESS Program Management Inbox with any questions.

Special Education Administrators,

Please see the memo to review changes to the upcoming grant cycle for IDEA Basic and IDEA Preschool (IDEA Consolidated).

All public education agencies, regardless of IDEA funding status, must submit the IDEA Statement of Assurances. The Statement of Assurances can be accessed in the ESS Portal and must be completed by the Superintendent, Charter Holder, or Special Education Director of your public education agency. The PEA must assign the role of ESS Special Education : Signer in ADE Connect to the individual that will review, sign, and submit the statement of assurances.

Please e-mail the ESS Program Management Inbox with questions.

Special Education Directors,
Please see below for the IDEA Conference offerings in March:

March 2, 2021 from 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Supportive Decision Making

Presented by George Garcia, Jon Meyers, Sey In, and Juliana Huerena

Searching for an alternative to Legal Guardianship for people with disabilities? Join us in this session to learn more about how Supported Decision-Making serves as a less restrictive alternative to Guardianship and how to develop a plan of support that will allow a person with a disability to keep his or her rights while getting the support he or she needs to live independently.

March 4, 2021 from 2:45–4:00 p.m.

The Burnout Cure

Presented by Chase Mielke

In this engaging, humorous, and heartfelt talk, Chase shares his experience as a veteran educator and provides key insights on how the science of small, positive moments creates thriving adults, learners, and communities. The audience will be empowered to take care of themselves so they can better take care of the young adults who need them. Participants will learn about:

• OPTIMISM—Refocus on the good in order to reignite our love for teaching,
• OWNERSHIP—Take control of our own well-being through simple, research-based actions that boost purpose and happiness,
• MINDFULNESS—Be present and turn minor moments into major momentum to thrive personally and professionally, and
• COMMUNITY—Cultivate positive relationships with kids and adults to build supportive and resilient cultures.
   

March 16, 2021 from 4:00–5:00 p.m.

         Skills to Pay the Bills: Let’s Explore Enthusiasm and Attitude!

Presented by Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated

Join the Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated for an opportunity to highlight your strengths related to positive attitude and enthusiasm. 

March 25, 2021 from 2:45–4:00 p.m.

The Iron is HOT: Using UDL in the Virtual Classroom

Presented by Paula Kluth

It’s undoubtedly important to teach in ways that honor learning differences and to structure lessons that are engaging, varied, and appropriately challenging. However, in this era focused on universal design for all, it is also critical to explore the underlying habits of mind related to “teaching them all.” This presentation centers on big ideas related to teaching and learning. The presenter, Paula Kluth, will discuss the role of “teaching up” and presuming both competence and complexity. She will explore the need to focus on student strengths, passions, and interests. She will also talk about the need to design lessons that are responsive and dynamic. This presentation will contain video clips, classroom stories, examples, and illustrations. It will provide both points of reflection and practical strategies. More importantly, it will feature ideas to help all teachers better respond to the diversity that exists in their classrooms every single day.

You can register by selecting sessions listed above or please visit the IDEA Conference web page:

• The Professional sessions will take place on Thursday afternoons from 2:45–4:00 p.m.
• Youth and Family sessions will take place on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00–5:00 p.m.
• Participants must register 48 hours in advance to guarantee needed accommodations.

If you have questions, please email the conference inbox.

Special Education Directors,

Please review the attached memo for information on how to apply for a High-Cost Child Claim.

The next round of applications will close on March 12.

Please e-mail the ESS Program Management Inbox with any questions.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT     

AzEDS SPED Integrity Rule Update -40071

An enhancement to Integrity Rule -40071 will be introduced into the integrity process on FY21 SPED data shortly. This update is a continuation of our effort to ensure clean data for the state. Updated one-sheet Integrity Tools are available on our AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage for troubleshooting tips, and the rule has been updated on our SPED Integrity Rules Reference document. 

Integrity Rule -40071

This rule has been enhanced to further validate the SPED10 exit code. In addition to validating the exit code is only used for 3-5 year-olds in PS, KG or UE grade, this rule will now validate the enrollment ends on the same date.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions regarding this update.

Special Education Directors,

Please review the FY22 Preliminary IDEA Allocation Memo for updates from the ESS Program Management team regarding the IDEA Consolidated-Entitlement funding application.

If you have questions, feel free to send them to the Program Management Inbox.