Special Education Directors,

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce a series of workshops designed for Related Service Providers, including OTs, PTs, and SLPs. The series will be presented throughout the 2022–2023 school year.

Registration is now open for our kick-off summer presentation. 

Every Moment Counts: Promoting Participation and Mental Health Throughout the Day

Presenter:                   Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA 

Date/Time:                 June 3, 2022, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Format:                        Virtual (Zoom Meeting)

Fee:                                Free 

Participants: Geared toward related service providers, however educators and administrators are welcome to attend

Description:

Small moments make a big difference in how children feel and function in school. Research confirms that positive interactions and experiences (e.g., enjoying lunch, having fun during recess) help children to feel positive and connected to school. Every Moment Counts is a mental health promotion initiative developed to help all children/youths become mentally healthy in order to succeed in school, at home, and in the community. Participants will learn about a multi-tiered public health approach to mental health involving promotion, prevention, and intervention and will be introduced to Every Moment Counts’ activity-based programs: Comfortable Cafeteria, Refreshing Recess, Calm Moments Cards, and Making Leisure Matter.  Practical examples of collaborative services (OT, PT, SLP, teachers) integrated in academic (classroom) and non-academic (cafeteria, recess, art, etc.) settings will be shared. Creative strategies for helping youths to participate in meaningful, community-based leisure will be provided. An overview of website resources will be provided as well as strategies for building capacity of school personnel to do this work.

About our Speaker:

Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA is Professor Emerita of the Occupational Therapy Program at Cleveland State University, where she taught for 34 years. She is the founding director of Every Moment Counts, which was launched in 2012. This multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative focuses on helping all children and youths to participate successfully throughout the day in academic and non-academic settings (www.everymometcounts.org). In addition to authoring the book, Mental Health Promotion, Prevention, and Intervention with Children and Youth: A Guiding Framework for Occupational Therapy (2011), Dr. Bazyk has authored over 30 journal articles and several book chapters in leading OT textbooks. Recent awards include the 2016 Crain’s Cleveland Business Health Care Hero Award, the 2017 Outstanding Research Award for the College of Sciences and Health Professions at CSU, and the 2018 Award for Innovative and Emerging Practice from AOTA.  As a Fulbright Specialist (2019–2024), Susan presented on Every Moment Counts in five New Zealand regions in February 2020.

 Questions regarding this professional learning opportunity can be sent to [email protected].

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

SPED Integrity Rule -40055

Integrity Rule -40055 will update on May 1st to validate SPED and Enrollment Exit Dates and reasons are reported (not null) until the end of FY 2022.

SPED integrity rule -40055: 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 May 1st of the fiscal year to capture invalid exit combinations and relevant data elements not reported (see the SPED Exit Validation Matrix).

• If a student has all the following four values, this rule will trigger anytime during the reporting year:
  • Enrollment Withdrawal/Year-End exit value (Code/Reason)
  • Enrollment Withdrawal/Year-End exit date
  • SPED Exit Code (Reason)
  • SPED Exit Date
• If any of these elements are missing, then this rule will be triggered on May 1st and forward.

Between July 1 and April 30, this rule would apply only in cases where all 4 of the values are present. Effective May 1st, this rule would apply to all students even if one or more of the values is reported as “null” (not reported).

The intent of this rule is not only to ensure that the data is complete by the end of the fiscal reporting year with all 4 values, but also intended to ensure that the exit dates/reasons align between SPED and ADM as appropriate.

If PEAs were not receiving this error previously and now receive this error after May 1st, most likely one of the 4 values have not been reported. To resolve integrity error -40055, replace the null values with the correct exit date(s) and/or exit reason(s) according to the SPED Exit Validation Matrix and resubmit to AzEDS. Please note that AzEDS will accept future dates.

Additionally, the SPED Integrity Error Tool for -40055 can be referenced to assist with troubleshooting.  

If you have any questions, please direct them to [email protected].

Special Education Directors,

Please share the following in-person math professional learning opportunities with general and special education teachers who teach mathematics.

Count Me In: Foundations for Fluency is a one-day professional learning opportunity that will focus on the key components of fluency. Participants will make connections across mathematics standards that specify fluency as the intended, end-of-year outcome in each grade level from K–6. Additionally, educators will explore instructional routines, strategies, and games that help all students develop the flexibility to solve contextual and mathematical problems involving whole numbers. We strongly encourage school teams of special education and general education teachers who teach mathematics in Kindergarten through Grade 6 to register.

Tucson | June 24, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

Register for Foundations for Fluency on June 24 in Tucson 

Prescott | June 30, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

Register for Foundations for Fluency on June 30 in Prescott 

 Phoenix | July 20, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

Register for Foundations for Fluency on July 20 in Phoenix 

Count Me In: Hands on Algebra is a two-day professional learning opportunity that will focus on inclusive practices for teaching mathematics for middle and high school students with learning disabilities. Teachers will walk away with a conceptual understanding of the learning progressions within algebraic reasoning. Teachers will also experience collaboration strategies that will support all students in meeting the High School Algebra standards. We strongly encourage school teams of special education and general education teachers who teach mathematics in Grade 6 through High School Algebra to register. Participants will be required to attend both in-person training days.

Tucson | June 22–23, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

Register for Hands on Algebra on June 22–23 in Tucson 

Prescott | June 28–29, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

Register for Hands on Algebra on June 28–29 in Prescott 

 Phoenix | July 18–19, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

Register for Hands on Algebra on July 18–19 in Phoenix 

The cost of each event is $25 (lunch is not provided). Parking at the University of Arizona campus costs $8 per day. 

Please email Sherri Schwindt with any questions about registration. Please email Jenifer Fernandez or email Rob Hilliker with any questions about the training. 

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is pleased to announce the final session in our 2021-2022 AT Builders National Presenter Series. This workshop is designed for special educators and related service providers: “Designing and Delivering Empowering Experiences to Teach Language Using AAC.”

Date: Friday, May 13, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. (Seats are limited; register now!)

Fee:  No Cost (lunch on your own)

Where: Peoria Unified School District

Address: 6330  W. Thunderbird Road Glendale, AZ 85306

Course Description: 

This interactive experience explores strategies for teaching even the youngest students language by engineering environments so all communicators have opportunities for rich, meaningful practice of language in the context of everyday routines. Learn current best practices regarding Augmentative and Alternative Communication principles such as how to support language learning, select appropriate vocabulary and get Augmentative and Alternative Communication users engaged in the process. Explore how to design educational experiences using interactive technologies which empower the learner and their support network to achieve their lifelong language goals, how to build the skills of communication partners, and how training centered on coaching empowers parents and educators to take ownership of promoting the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems all day long, in all environments. 

Registration:

Register for May 13

Email questions you have regarding this professional learning opportunity to our AT inbox.

About:

Rachel Madel, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Los Angeles-based speech-language pathologist and communication expert dedicated to coaching parents and professionals on how to incorporate technology to best support speech and language development. Rachel presents both nationally and abroad on the use of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) for children with complex communication needs and coaches clinicians, teachers, and parents on integrating technology in classrooms and at home to support communication. Her work has been featured in Autism Parenting Magazine, Speech Science, Practical AAC, Xceptional Ed, Teachers with Apps, and ChildNEXUS.

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA, CCC‐SLP is a founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. Chris and Rachel co-host the Talking With Tech podcast featuring interviews and conversations about augmentative and alternative communication. Chris has hosted The A.T.TIPSCAST podcast and is the author of The New Assistive Tech: Make Learning Awesome For All, published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). He is co-author of Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year Chris has presented over 500 live or digital sessions at local, regional, state, national, and international events, including TEDx.

Special Education Administrators,

The ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration for Teach Camp is now open!

Teach Camp is a year-long support system that includes professional learning specifically designed for beginning special educators. The goal of Teach Camp is to increase retention of special educators by providing our newest special education teachers with the tools they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom.

Teach Camp is designed for special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in the fall of 2022. Recent graduates from traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certified teachers, and veteran general education teachers transitioning to special education are all welcome.

Teach Camp will be in person this summer! The cost is $175 per teacher and includes:

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held June 27–29, 2022 in Phoenix* (breakfast and lunch provided)
• Two 1-hour, virtual, after-school sessions, one in the fall and one in the spring, with national speakers
• A copy of The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children
• Additional valuable resources

*Information regarding travel reimbursement for participants from eligible PEAs will be provided once registration is completed.

Registration for Teach Camp is open until June 6, 2022, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for Teach Camp!

Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp. For more information about Teach Camp, pleasevisit the ESS Teach Camp webpage.

Special Education Directors,

Are you looking for Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians, or SLPAs for the next school year? Or still looking for this school year?

This Friday and Saturday, ADE/ESS will be recruiting speech personnel on behalf of all Arizona school districts and charter schools at the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) Annual Convention. We will have a booth in the exhibit hall where we will promote the advantages of working in a school setting, and we will distribute information about all current speech vacancies that our PEAs have posted on our free job board.  

If you would like us to promote your speech opening(s) at ArSHA, please post them on our job board this week.

See the list of current speech vacancies and add new speech vacancies on the Job Board website.

For additional information, please email the Recruitment and Retention Inbox.

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Dispute Resolution (DR) unit recognizes the value of that ensuring collaborative, student-focused IEP teams are equipped to make sound decisions in the development of IEPs. We are pleased to offer professional learning opportunities, free of charge, to PEAs seeking to establish or strengthen a Facilitated IEP culture. Our current presentations emphasize three key components of effective facilitated IEP meetings: knowledge of the IEP process under the IDEA, standardized meeting practices, and the use of meeting management skills that aid in minimizing conflict and maximizing collaboration. As you prepare your professional development calendar for the summer and upcoming school year, our Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist would be happy to make arrangements to work with your team. Submit your Facilitated IEP Training Request soon to secure your preferred date(s)!

For more information regarding alternative dispute resolution supports available through ADE/ESS/DR, please visit the Facilitated IEP website and/or join the FIEP listserv.  Completing the FIEP Program Survey will help us to improve our process and to identify areas of interest for advanced training topics.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

FY23 Discipline Data Collection Update

To learn about updates to the ESS Discipline Data Collection (DDC) application for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023, please review this memo which outlines upcoming changes. 

It is important to note that while reporting discipline data into AzEDS has been made available for FY23, this is a pilot year. All discipline data submissions for SPED students resulting in a removal will be required to be submitted into the ESS Discipline Data Collection application for FY23.

For any questions regarding these changes, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT 

Special Education Data Updates Webinar Wednesday, April 20th  

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will be hosting the next Special Education Data Updates live webinar on Wednesday, April 20th from 2pm – 3pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include (subject to change):      

• Reminders
  • October 1 Data Collection Phase III: Non-Reconciliation
  • FY23 Statement of Assurances
• Trending topics
  • Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD)
  • Home-Based vs Homeschooled vs Homebound Guidance Document
  • Discipline Data Collection Training webinar recording
• Top 3 Integrity Errors
  • -40080                   
  • -40069                   
  • -40062                   
  • -40055 - Upcoming 5/1 activation
• Q&A   

Registration is required to attend: Register for Special Education Data Updates webinar.     

For questions, please contact ESS Data Management via email at [email protected].   

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

FY23 Statement of Assurances required by all PEAs opens on 4/13/22

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the representative body for Special Education for Arizona, Exceptional Student Services, is required to obtain assurances from public education agencies (PEAs) to attest that they are meeting the requirements under state and federal statute for special education in the state of Arizona.

It is a requirement for all entities that are defined as public education agencies (PEAs) regardless if they get federal funds or not.

All PEAs must submit the IDEA Statement of Assurances (SOA) through the ESS Portal of ADEConnect.

The application will open on 4/13/22 and close for submissions on 6/17/22.

The SOA must be submitted by the Superintendent, Charter Holder, or Special Education Director of your organization before FY23 IDEA funding applications are approved in the Grants Management Enterprise (GME) system.

• The PEA must assign the role of ESS Special Education: Signer in ADEConnect to the individual that will review, sign, and submit the Statement of Assurances.
• PEAs that do not apply for IDEA funds are still required to submit the SOA.

Once the role is assigned, please login to ADEConnect, navigate to the Exceptional Student Services Portal and select the PEA Statement of Assurances button under Surveys/Assurances:

The survey code will auto-populate for you PEA. Please proceed and select the “Yes” checkbox for each page to indicate your assurances for the requirements.

Upon completion, the SOA can be printed for your records. If your PEA wants to ensure the SOA was submitted, accessing the SOA again will display the “Thank you for submitting” page.

Please direct any questions to [email protected].