In any conversation it is important that the parties share a common vocabulary. Sometimes the common terms used in special education are misunderstood. Below are some commonly used special education terms with their accompanying definitions to help ensure effective communication.

The suggestions below are practical advice, not requirements. ESS and Dispute Resolution staff have collaborated to share their ideas about how to develop, nurture and maintain good relationships with parents, how to make the IEP process smoother and more understandable, and how to help build a culture of ongoing compliance along the way.

Parents play an integral role in the special education process. When, for any number of reasons, a parent is not available to participate in this process, the IDEA has procedures in place to ensure a child’s rights are represented. These procedures involve the appointment of a “surrogate parent.”

A

• Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
• Alternate Assessments
• Assistive Technology (AT)
• Autism
• AZ Find (Child Find) Info for Schools
• AZ Find (Child Find) Info for Families
• AZ Promising Practices

Professional learning is offered to ensure that all schools in Arizona receive competent technical assistance to meet the needs of children who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. 

The state has established and maintains an advisory panel for the purpose of providing policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in the state.

Panel Information

2024–2025 Calendar

Links to the websites below do not imply an endorsement. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the resources provided herein are accurate and timely, the Arizona Department of Education is not responsible for the information contained in the websites linked below.

Section 504 Information

Section 504 regulations are under the jurisdiction of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Resources

Professional Learning & Sustainability (PLS) serves the educational community by increasing the recruitment, retention, knowledge, and skills of professionals serving students with disabilities so that students achieve higher academic and functional outcomes.

PLS offers professional learning opportunities, resources, and technical assistance to: