Updates

ESS is excited to announce a third professional learning opportunity with Lauren Enders, CCC-SLP, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 from 4:00–5:15 p.m. for special educators and related service providers.

A new SPED integrity rule will be introduced into the integrity process for FY21 shortly. This new rule is a continuation of our effort to further validate Tuition Payer codes to ensure clean data for the state. A new one-sheet Integrity Tool is available on our AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage for troubleshooting tips, and the rule has been added to our SPED Integrity Rules Reference document. This rule has been updated from the upcoming section in the FY 2021 ESS Data Reporting Updates document. Integrity Rule -40085

A new Average daily Membership (ADM) integrity rule will be introduced into the integrity process for FY21 shortly. Integrity Rule -10133 Students reported with Tuition Payer Code 7 (Students funded through other state formula programs) must have a SPED Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) reported for all dates of the Tuition Payer Code 7.

We are pleased to announce the ESS Discipline Data Collection (DDC) application is now open for FY21 SPED discipline incident submissions. All disciplinary incidents that result in the removal of a student receiving special education services are required to be submitted in the DDC application. The application will only accept incidents for students reported as SPED in AzEDS on the date of incident. More information about the ESS Discipline Data Collection is available on our Annual SPED Data Collection webpage.

SPED integrity rule -40055 is defined as follows: If a student’s SPED Exit Reason does not match the student’s regular membership Year End or Withdrawal Membership status, then report the discrepancy as an error. This rule is triggered for all SPED data effective April 1st of the fiscal year to capture mismatches and relevant data elements not reported. (See the SPED Exit Validation Matrix)

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is applying for federal funding under IDEA 2004 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The eligibility document serves as the basis for the operation and administration of activities to carry out the requirements of Part B of the IDEA. In accordance with 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.165 and 441 (b)(7), the federal regulations that implement the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) ((20 U.S.C. §1232d(b)(7)(B)), this application is posted for public participation and comment.

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

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.

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.

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.