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

PUBLIC NOTICE INFO: Notice of Public Comment Period for FFY 2023 IDEA Part B State Application

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 March 23, 2023

From the Exceptional Student Services Blog

INTERNAL PD INFO: Related Service Providers Seminar Series: Processing Speed and Executive Function with Sarah Ward, CCC-SLP - Register Now! Fri, Mar 31 2023 Training, Updates

Special Education Directors,

Due to popular demand, this training has been opened up to general and special educators and administrators.

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is pleased to announce the next in our Related Service Providers Seminar Series: Processing Speed and Executive Function with Sarah Ward, CCC-SLP. This course is intended for General and Special Education teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, School Psychologists, Counselors, and Special Education Administrators.

INTERNAL PD INFO: ADE/ESS 2023 Summer Math In-Person Professional Learning Opportunities Thu, Mar 30 2023 Professional Learning and Sustainability, Updates

Special Education Directors,

Please share the following math professional learning opportunities with general and special education teachers who teach mathematics.