Supt. Horne sides with 8-1 majority

PHOENIX – After more than a year of gathering input from parents, lawmakers and other interested stakeholders, the updated Arizona Department of Education Empowerment Scholarship Account Parent Handbook has been approved in an 8-1 vote by the State Board of Education. State Superintendent Tom Horne made the successful motion to approve.

Horne said, “I am very pleased that the board has endorsed the updated handbook. The changes reflect the needs of parents to have clarity in how ESA expenses are reviewed, allow the department to continue its efforts to ensure the program is well-managed and that taxpayer dollars are used for appropriate educational purposes. Anything less would potentially damage the ESA program. I am committed to its long-term sustainability because it is a vital way for parents to have the freedom to choose the best education for their children.”

He added, “More than a year ago, in response to concerns some parents and legislators had about the proposed updates to the handbook, I made the motion, which the board accepted, to delay implementation so that we could gather more input for proposed changes. My department established an advisory group of parents that did tremendous work over many months to develop changes. More recently, we expanded that process to include more town halls and responded to requests from lawmakers. Today those many months of work have culminated in the updated handbook.”

The ADE/ESS and School Finance sections have worked together to develop a resource for parents, counties, and public education agencies on certificates of educational convenience (CEC). Certificates of educational convenience outline and guide constituents on how to enroll or admit pupils to attend a public education agency for educational services. A newly developed frequently asked questions (FAQ) document is attached and is now available on the ADE/ESS AZ FIND website. Individuals are encouraged to utilize this resource as pertinent to understand when certificates of educational convenience should be used and how they are processed.

Questions can be directed to the ESS Inbox.

Leadership in Action: Expanding Access, Cultivating Opportunity
We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive, invite-only event designed for Arizona’s special education leaders: the 2025 IDEA Director’s Preconference. This is your opportunity to collaborate, learn, and lead alongside peers who are shaping the future of special education across the state.

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Location: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa 5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Price: $100 (General conference registration not included)

What to Expect:

• Engaging Panels & Campfire Talks on FAPE, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), staffing shortages, supporting students with complex needs, and more
• A Premier Legal Speaker offering insights on federal compliance and its impact on state and local teams
• An Interactive Networking Reception to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships
• Opportunities for reflection and real-world problem-solving

Preconference Schedule:

• 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Registration
• 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Concurrent Session 1
• 2:45 – 4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2
• 4:15 – 5:15 PM | Networking Reception

Each concurrent session will be offered twice to allow attendees to participate in both options.

Who Should Apply?

This event is designed for professionals in special education leadership roles at the district or charter level, including:

• Directors, Managers, and Leads of special education programs
• Specialists and Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) supporting special education services
• Site-based leaders in administrative or leadership roles (formal title not required)

Guidelines and Requirements:

• Each Public Education Agency (PEA) may register up to two eligible leaders (Capacity is capped, and final participation decisions will be made by ADE)
• Priority is given to school-employed, site-based staff
• Additional names and on-site-based staff will be placed on a waitlist, and if space allows, they will be invited to register.

Ready to Lead? Apply for Arizona’s 2025 IDEA Director’s Preconference

Please email the IDEA Conference inbox if you have any questions.

Let’s come together to expand access and cultivate opportunity for every student in Arizona. We look forward to seeing you there!

Effort aimed at combating problems in schools

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says Governor Hobbs’ veto of bipartisan legislation addressing antisemitism in public school classrooms is a terrible error that does not take into account the growing amount of antisemitism nationwide.

Horne said, “This is a terrible error in judgment on the part of the Governor. This bipartisan legislation was vital for ensuring that public schools cannot infect students with antisemitic propaganda and her veto is a slap at the Jewish community and those who fight every day against racism. Representative Michael Way worked tirelessly to shepherd this bill through the legislature, getting support from both parties. This bill should have been signed into law.”

He added, “Our country has been witnessing a large and steady increase in antisemitism. Studies show that it is much more so among young people than among the older generation. It is not true that there are no instances of teachers in Arizona schools teaching antisemitism. At Desert Mountain High School, the sponsor of UNICEF and the sponsor of Amnesty International, both teachers, brought to the school a totally one-sided pro Hamas anti-Israel presentation which caused some impressionable students to develop antisemitic feelings, which made Jewish students uncomfortable. The antisemitism has become more and more violent, as illustrated by the murder of two Jewish people in Washington and an attempt to murder by burning alive Jewish people in Colorado.”

Sponsored by Rep. Michael Way, HB 2867, the Antisemitism in Education Act was passed on a bipartisan basis by the state legislature. The measure was designed to prohibit a public school, teacher, principal, school administrator or volunteer or contractor for a public school and a faculty member, administrator, employee, contractor, or volunteer of a higher education institution from:

• Teaching, instructing or training students in any antisemitism or anti-Semitic conduct that constitutes harassment or discrimination and that creates a hostile education or work environment.
• Promoting or providing professional development in any antisemitism or anti-Semitic conduct that constitutes harassment or discrimination and that creates a hostile education or work environment.
• Calling for genocide of any group or persons or for the murder of members of a particular group, among other provisions.

PHOENIX-   Supt Tom Horne is calling for an Arizona law implementing the new United States Supreme Court decision that upheld a Tennessee law banning youth gender affirming care.

State Supt. of schools Tom Horne issued a press release calling on the state legislature to pass legislation banning youth gender care in conformity with the United States Supreme Court decision that was just issued. The Supreme Court stated:

“This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy, and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field. The voices in these debates raise sincere concerns; the implications for all are profound.”

Horne stated: “Because we have been in court vigorously defending Arizona’s law banning biological boys from competing in girls’ sports, we have thoroughly researched the evidence on the harm that such medical procedures do to young people.”

Horne added: “European countries allowed gender affirming care prior to the United States and therefore have become more familiar with the long-term negative effects. As we pointed out to the Court of Appeals in the girls’ sports case, England actually banned youth gender affirming care due to the dangers and scientific uncertainty. Sweden‘s national Board of Health and Welfare found that the risks of puberty blockers and hormones currently outweigh the possible benefits pretty heavily.”

Horne stated further: In upholding the Tennessee law, the United States Supreme Court stated that such treatments can lead to the minor becoming irreversibly sterile, having increased risk of disease and illness, or suffering from adverse and sometimes fatal psychological consequences.’ The Court also stated that ‘minors lack the maturity to fully understand and appreciate these consequences.’

Horne concluded: “20 states have banned this procedure from being inflicted on immature minors. As the Supreme Court noted, the implications for our children are profound. It is long past time for Arizona to act.”

Due to the Arizona State budgetary shortfall that impacts the Arizona Department of Education, the fiscal year 2025 June state aid payment to eligible school districts has been split into two payments. The first payment is to be apportioned on Friday, June 20^th, 2025 and the second payment will be made after the fiscal year 2026 Arizona State budget is passed and signed.

The Department of Education was able to appropriate 63.00% of basic state aid funding for the first payment of the June state aid payment for eligible school districts and charters. Additionally, 100% of additional state aid was appropriated.

Please note that as a result of this funding being separated into two payments, the BSA-64 report on the School Finance Reports website will not reflect the individual payment amounts. The BSA-64 report will only show the sum of payment 1 and payment 2 amounts.

Please review this letter sent to school districts and charters on June 4^th for more information.

For any additional questions, please email [email protected] or call 602-542-5695, option 1.

Thank you!

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) today announced that it is approving retroactive alternative school status for Primavera for the year 2024. This is an issue for the decision of the department under historic practice.  ADE provided 4 reasons for the decision:

1. Calculations that the department performed show that Primavera does serve the type of demographics that alternative schools are designed for.
2. For the years that Primavera did apply for alternative status, it was always granted.
3. One of the key factors for alternative status is the mission statement. During the years that Primavera applied, such as 2019 and 2025, Primavera’s mission statement was approved for purposes of alternative status. That mission statement has not changed, so there is no reason why the mission statement should be a barrier.
4. Where in all years that Primavera applied for alternative status, it was approved, it did not make sense to deny this request given that the demographics of the student body and the mission statement both remained the same.

This action does not change Primavera’s grade from a D during the last three years to a higher grade.  Any such change would be up to the State Board. While ADE has no way to predict State Board action, if it does approve, then the issue will go to the charter board.

Please see the following public participation information for an ADE/ESS proposal to change the Significant Disproportionality calculation cell size, available on the ADE/ESS webpage.

Public Participation for Significant Disproportionality Calculation Cell Size Change Proposal

As part of the public participation process set forth in the IDEA Part B regulations at 34 CFR § 300.165 and in section 441(b)(7) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) ((20 U.S.C. 1232d(b)(7)), prior to the adoption of amendments to policies and procedures required to comply with Part B of the Act, the State must ensure that there are public postings, hearings, and 30-day public comment period. The public posting period will be between June 17, 2025, and August 16, 2025. The public comment period will be between June 17, 2025, and July 27, 2025. Following the conclusion of the public participation period, ADE/ESS will evaluate the feedback received.

Notice of Public Hearings

The ADE will hold two public hearings, one geared primarily toward education professionals and a second for parents and family members of children with disabilities. Any individual or organization may register and attend either public hearing opportunity. Select an option below to join the event via Zoom.

Professionals

Thursday, June 19, 2025: Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The public hearing will take place during the June Professional Check-In. Register in advance for the professionals' meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Parents and Family Members

Thursday, July 17, 2025: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Register in advance for the parents' and family members' meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Notice of Public Comment Period

The public comment period for the proposed Significant Disproportionality Calculation Cell Size Change will be open between June 17, 2025, and July 27, 2025. Any individual or organization may submit written comments. The State will review and consider all comments after the public participation period.

Special education stakeholders may submit comments in writing using the following methods:

• Submit electronically via the ADE/ESS Public Comment webpage
• Submit electronically to Exceptional Student Services via email
• Submit handwritten comments directly to Exceptional Student Services via the USPS to Arizona Department of Education, 1535 West Jefferson St. Bin #24, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

Please see the following public participation information for proposed ADE/ESS Special Education Dispute Resolution Policies and Procedures, available on the main ADE/ESS webpage.

Public Participation for Proposed Special Education Dispute Resolution Policies and Procedures

As part of the public participation process set forth in the IDEA Part B regulations at 34 CFR § 300.165 and in section 441(b)(7) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) ((20 U.S.C. 1232d(b)(7)), prior to the adoption of amendments to policies and procedures required to comply with Part B of the Act, the State must ensure that there are public postings, hearings, and 30-day public comment period. The public posting period will be between June 17, 2025, and August 16, 2025. The public comment period will be between June 17, 2025, and July 27, 2025. Following the conclusion of the public participation period, ADE/ESS will evaluate the feedback received.

Notice of Public Hearings

The ADE will hold two public hearings, one geared primarily toward education professionals and a second for parents and family members of children with disabilities. Any individual or organization may register and attend either public hearing opportunity. Select an option below to join the event via Zoom.

Professionals

Thursday, June 19, 2025: Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The public hearing will take place during the June Professional Check-In. Register in advance for the professionals' meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Parents and Family Members

Thursday, July 17, 2025: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Register in advance for the parents' and family members' meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Notice of Public Comment Period

The public comment period for the proposed Special Education Dispute Resolution Policies and Procedures will be open between June 17, 2025, and July 27, 2025. Any individual or organization may submit written comments. The State will review and consider all comments after the public participation period.

Special education stakeholders may submit comments in writing using the following methods:

• Submit electronically via the ADE/ESS Public Comment webpage
• Submit electronically to Exceptional Student Services via email
• Submit handwritten comments directly to Exceptional Student Services via the USPS to Arizona Department of Education, 1535 West Jefferson St. Bin #24, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

ESS/Program Support & Monitoring is pleased to announce the release of the SY 2025–2026 Programmatic Monitoring Guide Steps. Attached is the release memo that indicates some of the recent updates.

The Guide Steps is a technical assistance document created to aid public education agencies (PEAs) in understanding the requirements specific to programmatic monitoring. Legal compliance may be more extensive as it relates to a state complaint or due process. Any examples should not be taken directly and added to a student’s IEP or evaluation because each student is unique and has his/her own set of circumstances that must be addressed through his/her individual evaluation and IEP.

We hope these Guide Steps assist PEAs in reviewing student documentation for compliance purposes and in reviewing systemic, programmatic needs within the PEA. Questions can be directed to your PEA’s Program Support & Monitoring Specialist.

The memo can be found here.