Special Education Directors,

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that the SY 2020-2021 Monitoring Manual is now posted to the Program Support and Monitoring website. ESS/Program Support & Monitoring (ESS/PSM) encourages all PEAs to review the manual for training purposes and to ensure compliance with the state general supervision system. The manual is a tool that can be used by all PEAs regardless of monitoring cycle year. Two highlights include training tools located in the appendix to assist with goals and specially designed instruction, and guide steps that include statutory direct citations for a quick reference when needed. We hope this assists in programming and documentation as you start off the new school year.

As a reminder, programmatic monitoring activities are required under the IDEA and take place throughout the school year unless waivers are granted or legislation is changed. ESS/PSM continues to be responsive to PEA needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and will make every effort to work with PEAs to ensure monitoring activities are able to continue. ESS/PSM may need to modify a PEA’s monitoring activities, dependent on individual circumstances, to ensure activities are completed within the 2020-2021 school year. 

Please contact your PEA’s assigned program specialist with questions. Thank you.
 

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS has been asked a variety of questions by public education agencies (PEAs) around “school days” under the Executive Order 2020-44 issued by the Governor on June 29, 2020.

This is a Hot Topic outlining the impact of this Executive Order on school days and special education timelines.

For any questions or clarifications please contact your PEA’s assigned Program Support and Monitoring specialist.

Special Education Directors,

ADE/ESS has received a number of questions regarding the use of electronic signatures. Based upon guidance provided by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), ADE/ESS is providing this Hot Topic regarding the use of electronic signatures.

Special Education Directors,

Below is a Hot Topic to address questions from the field in light of the Governor’s June 29, 2020 Executive Order considering Compensatory Educational Services and Extended School Year Services. ADE/ESS provides guidance based on interpretation of current Executive Orders, as well as federal and state regulations. Please consult with your district/charter legal counsel to determine how to implement service delivery in your schools.

Alert to Special Education Directors and Program Administrators: Extended School Year and Compensatory Educational Services Related to Executive Order 2020-44

In response to a large number of questions from the field, ADE/ESS is issuing this Hot Topic regarding the FAPE obligation for children living in group homes. This Hot Topic has been put together in collaboration with the ADE Foster Care Liaison, Department of Child Services, and the State Attorney General’s Office. We hope this provides the necessary information to better assist those in the field working with this special population of children.

Special Education Administrators,

In response to numerous questions from the field, ADE/ESS is providing guidance regarding eligibility determination requirements for students with a specific learning disability (SLD).  It is important to remember all public education agencies (PEA) are required to have local governing board-approved policies and procedures regarding SLD. We hope this guidance assists PEAs and families alike. If you have additional questions, please contact your assigned program specialist.

Alert to Special Education Directors and Program Administrators: Specific Learning Disability Eligibility

Special Education Administrators,

Registration is now open for Program Support & Monitoring File Review training. Come and take advantage of this free half-day training! Join ADE/ESS in reviewing a mock file. You will learn how to use the FY 2019-2020 ESS Monitoring Guide Steps and the student file form as well as gain understanding about compliance versus best practice.

Register now through the EMS registration system.

• Tucson- December 10, 2019
• Phoenix- October 22, 2019
• Flagstaff- April 20, 2020

Please contact your program specialist with questions.

Given recent findings and questions from the field, the ESS/Program Support & Monitoring Hot Topic reviews the requirements for English Learners (ELs) under the IDEA. Specifically, July’s Hot Topic addresses the requirements for consideration of EL with regard to eligibility determination and IEP development.

Additionally, there have been some changes regarding EL testing requirements provided to the field by ADE/OELAS. The OELAS communication, “ELs with Disabilities,” explains the testing and exiting requirements for all ELs, including those with disabilities. Also of note is the guidance document, “EL and Title III Addendum,” recently released by the USDOE, addressing EL requirements.

ESS realizes this is a complex issue and wants to assist however we can. We are planning on including ELs and Students with Disabilities as a topic on the upcoming Talk with ADE schedule. Additionally, per the ADE/OELAS communication, an ADE EL/Special Education Taskforce will be convened in the fall to discuss these issues.

In the interim, for questions regarding IDEA requirements and compliance, please contact your ESS program specialist. For questions regarding AZELLA and/or EL programming, please contact your regional OELAS program specialist.