Exceptional Student Services
The Arizona Technical Assistance System (AZ-TAS) documents were developed to assist school personnel and parents in navigating through the special education process. Each document provides guidance on implementing the legal requirements in the specified area and reflects current practices in the field.
Prior Written Notice Revised January 2025
Extended School Year Revised May 2020
Secure Care is the education students with disabilities receive in schools and instructional programs in juvenile detention centers, the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, county jails, and the Arizona Department of Corrections. The Secure Care team works with facilities to support and monitor the successful reentry of students in secure care facilities to public schools and post-secondary opportunities.
1535 W. Jefferson Street, Bin 24, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Tel: (602) 542-4013
TDD: (602) 542-1410
Fax: (602) 542-5404
Email: ESS Inbox
Email the ESS Inbox to report a broken link or to make a suggestion for improving the ESS website.
Are you a parent? Please visit the families page for written instructions.
ADE/ESS is acutely aware of the shortage of qualified special education teachers and related service providers across Arizona. ESS has multiple activities and programs to support public education agencies that confront this shortage every school year. The resources and links below are designed to assist school leaders in maximizing professional learning for educators and creating the working conditions that nurture and support highly skilled educators.
Annually, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is required to report Special Education data to the federal government. The October 1 Data Collection is part of that process and occurs in three phases.
The Important Dates website outlines the various deadlines for ESS Data Management data collection.
An individual with autism may need specialized instruction, assistive technology, therapies, and positive behavioral supports that reflect their unique strengths to develop the skills to participate actively in the world. The Academic Achievement and Inclusive Practices unit aims to share the knowledge, practices, and supports that will help define effective services and programs in schools, districts, and homes.
In order to qualify for special education under the regulations that implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a child needs to be a child with a disability, meaning that the child has been evaluated as having a qualifying disability, and by reason thereof needs special education. [See 34 C.F.R. § 300.8(a)]
The Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) is a one-stop-shop for public education agencies (PEAs) to securely view their unique education data and provide public statewide data with redaction. The Special Education Data Dashboard will continue to be expanded, and more information, such as training videos, will be coming soon.