Welcome to Exceptional Student Services

Exceptional Student Services (ESS) ensures that public education agencies in Arizona have special education programs, policies, and procedures that comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations, and that eligible children and youth with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). ESS provides professional learning opportunities, provides technical assistance to schools, supports the needs of families of students with disabilities, monitors schools for compliance with the regulations that implement the IDEA, and administers the IDEA Entitlement grant.

Timely Information

Special Education Guidance for COVID-19

Components of Exceptional Student Services

About ESS Understanding Special Education ESS Updates Parents and Families

Professional Learning & Sustainability Program Support & Monitoring Early Childhood Special Education Special Projects Dispute Resolution

Data Management Program Management Vouchers

Page revised May 25, 2023

From the Exceptional Student Services Blog

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: Special Education Data Updates Webinar Wednesday, June 21 Wed, May 24 2023 Data Management, Updates

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next Special Education Data Updates live webinar on Wednesday, June 21, from 2pm – 3pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include (subject to change):  

Registration is now open for Arizona’s 2023 IDEA Conference! Fri, May 19 2023 Updates

ADE/ESS is excited to announce the opening of registration for Arizona’s 2023 IDEA Conference: Creating Connections and Strengthening Systems. This year’s conference will be held from August 21–23, 2023, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix.