Exceptional Student Services
If you have a general education issue about student schedules, curriculum, graduation requirements, personnel matters, staff assignments, school policy matters, facemask requirements, vaccination requirements, gifted programs, before/after school programs, or the promotion/ retention of students, contact the Public Education Agency's (PEA) administration first, even if your child has an IEP or 504 plan.
An assistive technology (AT) device is any “item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of that device.” [20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.5].
Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Special Projects is a best practice unit that provides training, education, and resources for professionals serving students with disabilities across the state of Arizona. As part of IDEA's general supervision framework, Special Projects provides professional learning and technical assistance to facilitate the building of capacity for educators, parents, and community members and ultimately services to students with disabilities.
Exceptional Student Services (ESS) ensures that public education agencies (PEAs) in Arizona have special education programs, policies, and procedures that comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations and that eligible children and youth with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).
ESS/Program Support and Monitoring (PSM) is proud to announce the release of the SY 2026–2027 Programmatic Monitoring Manual. This manual is intended to assist public education agencies (PEAs) in participating in and preparing for programmatic monitoring activities. The forms associated with programmatic monitoring activities can be found on the PSM website under Differentiated Monitoring Activities.
Please contact your PEA’s assigned specialist with questions.
The ADE/ESS Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices team is pleased to announce the K–12 State Braille Transcriber Project.
This no-cost professional learning opportunity provides virtual instruction, individualized coaching, and collaborative learning designed to prepare participants to become certified Braille transcribers. Through coursework aligned to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) curriculum, participants will build the knowledge and skills needed to support students with visual impairments through high-quality, accessible instructional materials.
Participants will deepen their understanding of:
Professional development hours are available for participants who successfully complete program requirements.
If you have staff members interested in expanding their expertise and supporting students with visual impairments, we encourage them to apply.
For questions, please contact the Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices team.
Thank you for your commitment to ensuring equitable access and meaningful learning opportunities for all students.
Effective June 8, 2026, integrity error -40105: Preschool exit outcomes may not be entered until the last day of the student's program, will now be a FED SPED warning instead of a FED SPED failure.
For guidance on resolving any SPED integrity errors, please refer to the SPED-Related Integrity Rules document available on AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage for detailed steps.
Please feel free to email Data Management inbox with any questions.
Don't Miss This Summer Professional Learning Opportunity!
ADE/ESS and STAR Autism Support are partnering to provide free professional learning opportunities for PEA staff this summer through in-person and virtual workshops.
These hands-on learning experiences are designed to support educators working with students with autism and developmental disabilities. Participants will explore evidence-based instructional practices, engage in practical applications, and leave with tools, lesson plans, data systems, and strategies that can be implemented immediately.
Participants will:
School Team Coaching Opportunity
Schools that participate as a team may qualify for STAR-certified coaching visits. To be eligible, teams must include:
Professional Learning Opportunities
2-Day STAR Comprehensive Workshop (In-Person)
This two-day workshop provides detailed examples and practical applications of evidence-based practices identified in the National Standards Report (2009). Participants will learn instructional methods related to discrete trial teaching, pivotal response training, and teaching through functional routines.
2-Day STAR and Links Virtual Comprehensive Workshop
This two-day virtual workshop focuses on implementing evidence-based practices for secondary students using the STAR and Links curriculum. Participants will learn assessment, instructional planning, and strategies for supporting students within daily routines and targeted skill instruction. During this session participants will be broken into either STAR or Links break out rooms to practice skills specific to STAR or Links
We are excited to partner with educators across Arizona to strengthen inclusive practices and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
For registration, questions, or assistance, please contact Bekah Anderson at STAR Autism Support or email Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices team.
Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up your new special education teachers for Teach Camp!
Teach Camp is a three-day, camp-themed professional learning experience packed with practical resources, strategies, and a strong campfire community of support so that new special education teachers not only survive but thrive as they begin their teaching journey. Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in one of Arizona’s public schools in the fall of 2026.
Navigating the Journey: Camp Essentials
Trailblazing Together: What Teach Camp Alumni Are Saying!
Ready for Your Teachers to Join the Adventure?
Registration for Teach Camp is open on a first-come, first-served basis and has been extended until Friday, June 26, 2026. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the district or charter organization, not the special education teacher. Please note that there is a limit of ten registrations for each district or charter, after which participants will be placed on a waiting list. Travel reimbursement is available for eligible districts and charter organizations for up to five travelers per organization with additional travelers as funding allows. Reimbursement details are provided in the registration form. Please be aware that we may reduce the group size per district or charter organization to accommodate the attendance of more districts/charters and budget constraints for travel reimbursement. On-site registration is not available.
Spots are limited—register your teachers for Teach Camp today!
Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp.