Dear Special Education Director,

The Arizona Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ArSHA) will be holding its annual convention in Phoenix on April 5 and 6. Hundreds of Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians, and SLPAs will attend the convention.

The Arizona Department of Education sponsors school-based speakers at the convention to support high quality, relevant professional development for our school-based speech personnel. This year’s ADE-sponsored topics include AAC, executive function, critical thinking, push-in therapy, and using telepractice in a school setting.

ADE/ESS will have a table in the exhibit hall to recruit SLPs/SLTs/SLPAs on your behalf. If you have a speech vacancy in your district or charter, please post your job on ADE’s free Arizona Education Job Board: https://www.arizonaeducationjobs.com/sides.

At the convention, we will hand out a flyer that lists all SLP/SLT/SLPA positions posted on the Arizona Education Employment Board as of April 1. Don’t miss this opportunity to advertise current job openings!

Hello Special Education Directors,

ADE is gratified by the overwhelming interest in the Arizona Technical Assistance System (AZ-TAS) document for graduation requirements. In the roughly three weeks since the guidance document was published on the ADE website, the Departmenthas heard from a wealth of stakeholders through a variety of channels. We have spoken personally with constituents with questions, helped them brainstorm solutions to tricky situations on school campuses, and presented to the Special Education Advisory Panel. Through these interactions, we have received valuable input that we will use to improve guidance provided in this document.

We understand that there is a need for clarification in specific areas within the document to ensure the guidance is useful, meaningful, and supports all students with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the IDEA, state statute, and State Board Rule, while not imposing additional requirements but still allowing schools to implement their own best practices. ADE/ESS, in consultation with ADE/Dispute Resolution, ADE/Assessment, and the Arizona Attorney General’s office, is currently reviewing and considering all feedback provided in order to revise the Graduation AZ-TAS document. As a result, effective immediately, please view the version currently published on the website as a working document.

I would like to thank each individual or group that reached out to ADE to provide feedback or articulate concerns. Your voice will help us shape better guidance and keeps ADE in touch with realities in the field. If you have not yet provided feedback, feel free to contact [email protected], who is maintaining a repository of information to help inform the ongoing revision.

Link to the document: https://cms.azed.gov/home/GetDocumentFile?id=5c6c37de1dcb25058400e9f2

Link to all AZ-TAS documents: http://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/az-tas-documents/

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is applying for federal funding under IDEA 2004 for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The eligibility document serves as the basis for the operation and administration of activities to carry out the requirements of Part B of the IDEA. In accordance with 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.165 and 441 (b)(7), the federal regulations that implement the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) ((20 U.S.C. §1232d(b)(7)(B)), this application is posted for public participation and comment.

The Application document sets forth policies and procedures that Arizona will undertake:

1. to ensure that all eligible children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that includes special education and related services to meet their unique needs;
2. to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected;
3. to assist public education agencies in providing for the education of all children with disabilities; and
4. to assess and ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate those children.

The IDEA Part B State Application and Interactive Spreadsheet are available to parents, educators, and members of the general public for review and comment starting March 1, 2019 through May 3, 2019 at the Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services, 3300 N. Central Avenue, 24th floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, or on the ADE website at www.azed.gov/specialeducation.

Public comment for the 2019-2020 Proposed IDEA Part B State Application will be taken for 30 days starting March 1 through March 31, 2019. Comments may be submitted in writing to:

Alissa Trollinger Deputy Associate Superintendent Exceptional Student Services Arizona Department of Education 1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin #24 Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Email: [email protected]

http://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/

Strategies to Boost Parent Participation

#1 Offer use of a school computer or tablet when families are on campus for parent/teacher conferences, IEP meetings, school events, pick-up and drop-off times, parent group meetings and when you make home visits. Have translators or support staff available to assist parents.

#2 Follow-up phone calls, emails, and personal interactions to confirm parents received a login code are effective. Mention that the survey will take only a few minutes to complete and that their input is valued.

#3 Use email, social media, and message apps to promote the survey and send periodic reminders.

For assistance contact: Becky Raabe, [email protected], or (928) 637-1871.

Parent survey information and family engagement resources are posted on the survey website, www.azed.gov/specialeducation/parent-involvement-survey-admin.