The Exceptional Student Services (ESS) mission is to provide high quality service that builds capacity to improve outcomes for all students. The vision of ESS is that all students, including students with disabilities, are well prepared for the next step – college, technical/trade school, career, job, or other means of engagement. To achieve this vision, ESS is establishing a system of supports that wraps around educators to improve student outcomes—academically, behaviorally, and functionally.
For assistance with a special education matter, find four alternatives at Request Assistance.
- For Empowerment Scholarship Account Information, visit the ESA website, reach the ESA staff by email [email protected] or telephone
602-364-1969.
Program Areas
Funding – Funding Alerts; Grants Management; Federal Fiscal Monitoring
Program Support and Monitoring – Results Driven Accountability (RDA); Examining Data to Improve Student Achievement (EDISA); Monitoring Alerts; Training Resources; Examining Practices: Keys to Successful Outcomes
Professional Learning and Sustainability – AZ Promising Practices; Recruitment, Retention & Professional Development; SELECT Courses; State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG); Employment Opportunities; Training Resources
Special Projects – Accessible Instructional Materials; Assistive Technology; Data Management; Medicaid School-Based Claiming; Secondary Transition/Post School Outcomes (PSO); Secure Care; Traumatic Brain Injury
State Initiatives – AZ FIND (Child Find); Approved Private Day Schools; Ed-P Programs; Residential & Institutional Vouchers; Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS)
Federal Initiatives – State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP); State Performance Plan (SPP); Annual Performance Report (APR); PEA Determinations; Surrogate Parents; Public Reports; Significant Disproportionality; Parent Involvement Survey
ASPIRE – Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE) is a US Department of Education grant to study youth with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
For a complete list of ESS program areas, use the ESS Site Index.
ESS Resources
- AZ Promising Practices
- AZ-TAS Documents
- DVD lending library featuring special education and disability topics
- Forms
- Graduation and Students with Disabilities
- Monitoring Alerts – NEW
- Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS)
- Reports, Resources & Links
2016 IDEA Capacity Building Grant Opportunities
Contact Us
Arizona Department of Education
Robin Kauakahi, Associate Superintendent, Highly Effective Schools
Karol Basel, Deputy Associate Superintendent, Exceptional Student Services
Physical Location: 3300 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Mailing Address: 1535 W. Jefferson St., Bin #24, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Tel: (602) 542-4013
Fax: (602) 542-5404
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