From Evaluation to Service Delivery: Research-Informed Practices That Empower SLPs to Navigate Tensions and Strengthen Collaboration with Marie Ireland 

Friday, March 6, 2026  

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM  

Rio Vista Recreation Center  

8866 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381   

There is no fee to attend. Thanks to Peoria Unified School District for providing the venue for this event.  

Comprehensive speech-language assessment is essential for identifying students with disabilities under IDEA and requires the use of multiple tools and strategies. Post-pandemic skill gaps and increased referrals have intensified challenges for SLPs, contributing to misidentification and overidentification.  

This session examines nine research-identified tensions affecting school-based evaluation and eligibility practices and offers solutions to improve collaboration, caseload management, and decision-making. Participants will learn systematic, culturally responsive methods for integrating standardized and informal data—including dynamic assessment—to identify strengths, needs, and learning potential. Emphasis is placed on linking evaluation results to instruction, service delivery, and educationally relevant outcomes.  

ASHA CEs are not provided; however, participants will receive a certificate of completion for six Professional Development Hours (PDH), which count toward CCC maintenance. You can find more information from ASHA about PDHs on the ASHA certification FAQs webpage.  

About the Presenter: 

Marie Ireland is an adjunct research associate at Charles Sturt University in Australia, a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language (BCS-CL) and served as the Virginia Department of Education’s specialist for evaluation and eligibility, speech language pathology, and related services for 16 years. She has served as ASHA’s Vice President of SLP Practice (2018–2020) and on the executive board of the State Education Agencies Communication Disabilities Council. Her areas of interest include child language, evidence-based assessment, and dynamic assessment. She has written numerous books and research articles. She received a national editor’s award in 2013 and an international award in 2021 for articles on evidence-based practice in schools. Her research focuses on evaluation and eligibility decision making in the US. She presents regularly at state, national and international conferences and venues.  

Apply now to attend this session. Seats are limited. Preference will be given to SLPs and SLTs who are district or charter school employees. Staffing agency employees contracted to a district or charter will be placed on a waiting list. This session is not intended for SLPAs. 

If you have questions about this event, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox. 

The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) will hold its annual convention on March 27–28 in Mesa. Hundreds of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Speech-Language Technicians (SLTs), Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs), and students enrolled in SLP graduate programs will be attending this event. 

The ADE/ESS sponsors the public school strand at the convention to support high-quality, relevant, professional learning for school-based speech personnel. This year’s sponsored topics include Secondary Transition Planning, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Special Education Compliance, and Artificial Intelligence Tips and Tricks.

ADE/ESS also plans to have a recruiting booth in the exhibit hall. We will highlight all SLP/SLT/SLPA vacancies posted on the Arizona Education Employment Board (AEBB). The AEEB is a free, online special education job board provided by ESS. To be included in this recruitment effort, please post your speech vacancies (current or anticipated for 2026-27 school year) by March 16.

Prior to posting your speech position(s), you may wish to review our  “Develop Effective Job Postings” guidance document.

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

In accordance with A.R.S. §15-905(L), the FY 2025 BUDG-75 Expenditure Analysis Letters are now published. Letters are based on the most recent FY 2025 BUDG-75 Over Expenditure reports, which have been calculated using the latest of FY 2025 BSA55 SRC or FY 2025 BSA55 915 information.  These letters serve as official notification of any over expenditure for FY 2025, and how Budget Balance/Over Expenditure values should be recorded on the next FY 2026 budget revision.

The expenditure analysis letters are addressed to the district's governing board in care of the district superintendent. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the district to inform the district's governing board members accordingly. 

Reports are available on the School Finance Reports website.

Please contact the Budget Team ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Thank you!

“Tell Me All About it!”  

Dynamic Assessment in the Schools with Janani Webb, CCC-SLP and Melissa White, CCC-SLP 

Date:  February 26, 2026 

Time:  3:30 PM–5:00 PM 

Our Presenters: 

Janani Webb, MS, CCC-SLP, is an experienced speech-language pathologist with a focus on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), executive functioning, language disorders, and speech sound disorders.  

Melissa White, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and doctoral student at the University of Arizona, where she studies child language. She is especially interested in language and connections to literacy, assessment, and school-based issues. 

Register now for this FREE, virtual, after-school session. You’ll leave with free resources, tools, and strategies you can use right away to strengthen your practice of using Dynamic Assessment in the school setting.  

FAQs: 

Will it be recorded? No. 

Are ASHA CEUs provided? ASHA CEUs are not provided; however, you will receive a certificate of completion for 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH), which count toward CCC maintenance. You can find more information from ASHA about PDHs on the ASHA certification FAQs webpage.  

New federal guidance cites Supreme Court decision

PHOENIX – The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance that has the effect of ensuring Diversity, Equity and Diversion (DEI) elements are removed from public schools, according to Arizona schools chief Tom Horne.

Horne stated, “The new guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education states that ‘No public school, teacher, or school official should ever coerce or press a student to engage in speech or affirm a viewpoint that would violate the student’s sincere religious beliefs.’ Numerous DEI precepts violate widespread religious beliefs, such as urging students to change genders, age-inappropriate sexual lessons, and other elements that may demean a student’s religious beliefs.”

The federal document issued February 5th, is guidance on Constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public elementary and secondary schools.  It says that to receive federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, a district or charter school must certify that none of its policies prevent, or otherwise deny, participation in Constitutionally protected prayer in public schools. Schools that fail to comply with the guidance risk the loss of federal education dollars.

Horne added, “My department already requires schools to answer questions pertaining to Critical Race Theory, DEI, and other matters. Those answers are posted on our public reporting of school grades, at azed.gov to help parents choose schools for their children. We will add this question to our list and report answers not only on our website, but also, as required, to the federal government. Those with unsatisfactory answers to this question will then be deprived of federal funds.”

Under the guidance, schools may not suppress religious expression but also may not coerce it. A United States Supreme Court decision (Mahmoud v. Taylor) upheld the complaints of families of diverse religious faiths to mandatory public elementary school curriculum endorsing gay unions and transgender identities, where the family’s religious teachings were contrary to those lessons.

The guidance requires annual reporting to be submitted by state departments of education to the federal government beginning in November of this year.

Diverse Ability Incorporated (DAI) is thrilled to announce that it will host the Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (AZYLF) in July 2026 for Arizona students ages 14–22 who have a documented disability.

AZYLF is a dynamic, inclusive leadership conference designed to empower youth and young adults who have disabilities. Participants build leadership and self‑advocacy skills, explore the disability experience, set personal goals, and connect with peers and community resources in a supportive environment.

Watch the Arizona Youth Leadership Forum highlight video

2026 AZYLF Details

Who: Arizona students ages 14–22 who have a documented disability
When: July 13–17, 2026
Where: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free for all participants
If selected, participants must complete a Pre‑Employment Transition Services (Pre‑ETS) Form.

Applicants may submit an online application through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should:

• Have a documented disability*
• Be 14–22 years of age
• Be enrolled in high school or a higher education or post‑secondary training program**
• Live in Arizona

*Documented disability may include an IEP, 504 Plan, or medical documentation of a disability or diagnosis.
**Post‑secondary examples include colleges, universities, certificate programs, and other training programs.

To learn more about AZYLF, please visit DAI's AZYLF web page, email DAI, or call 602-425-5135.

Thanks to DAI's diverse funding and collaborative partnerships, including with ADE/ESS and RSA/VR Services, students can participate in AZYLF at no charge.

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.  

 Title:                            JOT: The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Referral Maze: A School Team’s Roadmap 

Presenters:               Danika Stampfel, M.S., CCC-SLP (NAU IHD AAC Evaluation and Training Program); Rui Hernandez M.A., CCC-SLP (Bilingual SLP and AAC Specialist- Sunnyside Unified School District); and J. Drew Barsness, M.S., CCC-SLP (Arbor Therapy) 

Date:                            Wednesday, March 25, 2026 

Time:                           11:30 AM-12:00 PM 

Description:    Navigating the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) AAC referral process can feel like moving through a maze, but school-based professionals don’t have to figure it out on their own. This JOT session highlights how educators, therapists, and service providers can work together with families to understand the steps, roles, and responsibilities involved. We’ll broaden the focus beyond the classroom to consider the whole “service team,” including the DDD Support Coordinator, and explore how collaborative communication and coordinated documentation can streamline the referral journey. In this 30-minute session, you’ll gain practical strategies to support families as partners and strengthen the team’s collective approach to navigating the DDD/Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) process. 

 Register for AT JOT: The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Referral Maze  

 If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email [email protected]. 

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT    

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include:    

• Reminders  

• Trending topics  
  • • Parent Involvement Survey
    • Preschool Outcomes

• Top Three Integrity Errors 
• Out of scope Topics

• Q&A     

Please register by clicking this link. Registration is required to attend. If you have any questions, please email the ESS Data Management inbox.  

Superintendent Horne teams with university

PHOENIX - With the state’s teacher shortage at critical levels and with an eye toward improving student achievement, state schools chief Tom Horne is announcing a strategic partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) to expand access to high-quality instruction, strengthen teacher capacity, and improve student outcomes across the state—particularly in rural and high-need communities.

ADE will utilize ASU’s statewide instructional infrastructure to provide schools with more resources to address persistent teacher shortages, improve math and literacy outcomes, and ensure students have access to college-ready coursework aligned to Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) requirements.

Horne stated, “The teacher shortage is reaching catastrophic proportions and there is an ongoing need for doing more to improve student performance in core academic areas. This partnership allows us to bring additional capacity to schools and districts—without replacing local control—by providing high-quality instructional support where it is most needed. I am very pleased that ASU is taking meaningful steps to address these problems, especially in the areas of highest need statewide.”

ASU President Michael Crow said, “Arizona State University exists to be of service to the citizens of the state, and we are deeply committed to assisting teachers in providing the foundation upon which children can build a lifetime of learning. Arizona’s future depends on all of us working together to deliver successful student outcomes. This partnership brings ASU’s instructional capacity directly to schools to strengthen math and literacy results, expand access to college-ready coursework and help more students graduate prepared to enter the workforce of the future.”

Through this ADE-endorsed partnership, ASU will support schools statewide by providing:

• Certified high quality virtual teachers and content to deliver instruction in hard-to-staff subjects such as mathematics, lab sciences, and world languages, ensuring students maintain access to graduation and college-eligibility pathways.
   
• Expanded math support through in-person high-dose tutoring delivered during the school day, targeting schools with demonstrated math achievement needs.
   
• Summer Bridge and Credit-Acceleration Opportunities for students to recover credits, advance in mathematics, and prepare for the upcoming school year.
   
• Science of Reading Professional Development to support K–5 teachers in meeting Arizona’s literacy endorsement requirements.
   
• Virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), providing job-embedded coaching for teachers—particularly those working in isolation in rural districts—across math, science, and English language arts.
   
• These services are designed to complement district efforts, not replace them, and are focused on expanding instructional options and improving outcomes for students.

In addition to student support, the partnership emphasizes long-term workforce development by expanding access to professional learning, instructional coaching, and educator preparation pathways.

School participation will be voluntary and prioritized based on demonstrated need, including teacher shortages, student performance data, and rural or geographically isolated contexts. ADE will continue to monitor outcomes and collaborate with schools to ensure supports are aligned to local goals. All instructional services and professional development offered through this partnership will be provided to districts at no cost.

“By design, ASU exists to create opportunity and deliver measurable results for the communities we serve,” said Amy McGrath, ASU vice president of Outreach. “By working alongside ADE and school leaders, we’re expanding modern, high-quality instructional support that helps more students stay on track, accelerate their learning, and graduate ready for college, career, and life.”

Implementation will launch in phases to meet schools’ most urgent needs quickly and build toward sustained, year-long support. Spring 2026 will begin with targeted math acceleration and staffing support in high-need schools, followed by Summer Bridge and credit acceleration opportunities. School-year supports—including hard-to-staff virtual instruction, Science of Reading training, and job-embedded PLC coaching—will expand beginning in fall.

The National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) and the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE), in partnership with the ADE/ESS, are offering monthly, low-cost professional learning webinars for paraeducators, related service providers (RSPs), teachers, administrators, and other educators.

Join the NRCP on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for exciting topics and presenters. Upcoming live webinars and previously recorded webinars include the following topics:

Upcoming live webinars:

• Feb 7, 2026—Paraeducator Career Growth
• Mar 14, 2026—Empowering Independence: Supports for Low Incidence Disabilities
• Apr 11, 2026—Paraeducator Roles & Responsibilities
• May 9, 2026—Visual Supports for Communication
• Jun 13, 2026—The Trauma-Responsive Paraeducator
• Jul 11, 2026—Teamwork & Collaboration in Schools

Previously recorded webinars:

• Oct 11, 2025—Differentiation in Action
• Nov 8, 2025—Accommodations & Modifications
• Dec 13, 2025—Behavior Management
• Jan 10, 2026— Artificial Intelligence 101

Teacher and paraeducator teams are encouraged to sign up together. The $100 registration fee per person includes 6 remaining live webinars and access to the previous four recorded webinars and extended access to the recordings until August 2026. There is a limited number of seats at this discounted price, so register now to save your spot!

Register for Saturday Mornings with the NRCP!

Please see the Saturday Mornings with the NRCP flyer for additional information about the professional learning series, and email Laura Lema with any questions.