DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT        

Special Education Data Updates Webinar Wednesday, May 17th  

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next Special Education Data Updates live webinar on Wednesday, May 17th, from 2pm – 3pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include (subject to change):    

• Reminders  
• Trending topics  
• Top 3 Integrity Errors  
• Q&A 

For questions, please contact ESS Data Management via email at [email protected].  

Please see the attached Memorandum regarding a change in procedure to the Offer of Early Resolution in Response to a State Complaint. This change is occurring following an administrative review of the state complaint process and considers guidance from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, as well as technical assistance received by national technical assistance groups regarding Dispute Resolution activities.

Please contact ADE/ESS Dispute Resolution with any questions about this change in procedure.

Special Education Stakeholders,

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

A limited number of in-person tables will be available. Space is not guaranteed. Selections for tables will be based on agency priority.

If interested, please complete the Vendor/Exhibitor Application by Friday, May 19, 2023. 

For more information about the IDEA Conference, visit the IDEA Conference website. Questions about the conference can be sent to the IDEA Conference inbox.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is hosting a free discussion on implementing SB 1654 (Seizure Safe Schools). During this session, participants will receive information about the law and step-by-step details for complying with the law, hear about training requirements, and participate in a Q&A session where submitted questions will be answered. In addition, resources about seizure action plans and seizure first aid will be provided.

Date and Time: April 20, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.

Topics of Discussion:

• Introduction of SB 1654; schools, seizure management, and treatment plans
• History of the bill, why it is needed, and how it will help AZ students
• Key components of the bill and timeline for implementation
• Amended Model Board Policy for school districts and charter schools
• New Seizure Action Plan (SAP) Template
• History and purpose of model SAP Template through the perspective of a Pediatric Neurologist
• Arizona State Board of Education: Approved Training and Related Training Requirements
• Training Session Approval Guidelines, Review Process, and Seizure Action Plan Committee
• Resources and materials available for implementation
• Review of timeline and steps for successful implementation
• Q&A

Target Audience:  School nurses and health office staff, school administrators, and other school staff involved in implementing Seizure Safe Schools. Anyone interested in providing the program for their students and school is welcome to attend as well.

Register for Implementing SB 1654.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT       

Special Education Data Updates Webinar Wednesday, April 19th 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next Special Education Data Updates live webinar on Wednesday, April 19th, from 2pm – 3pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include (subject to change):   

• Reminders 

• Trending topics 

• Top 3 Integrity Errors 

• Q&A    

Registration is required to attend: Register for Special Education Data Updates webinar.   

For questions, please contact ESS Data Management via email at [email protected].    

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT 

FY24 Statement of Assurances Open for Submission

The FY24 Statement of Assurances application is open for submission. All PEAs must submit the IDEA Statement of Assurances (SOA) through the ESS Portal of ADEConnect. This is required before any FY24 activities in the Exceptional Student Services portal are allowable. The portal will block any PEA that has not completed the SOA after the deadline.

The application is now open for submission and closes on June 15, 2023.

The SOA must be submitted by the Superintendent, Charter Holder, or Special Education Director of your organization before FY24 IDEA funding applications are approved in the Grants Management Enterprise system.

• The PEA must assign the role of ESS Special Education: Signer in ADEConnect to the individual that will review, sign, and submit the Statement of Assurances.
• PEAs that do not apply for IDEA funds are still required to submit the SOA.

Please direct any questions to [email protected].

In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program, ADE/ESS is excited to be able to offer scholarships for Arizona youth and their families. Scholarships are available so that youth and young adults with disabilities and/or their family member/personal assistant can attend Arizona’s 2023 IDEA Conference: Creating Connections and Strengthening Systems.

This cross-stakeholder event is intended for special education administrative staff, youth and young adults with disabilities, family members and caregivers, state agency staff, educators, service providers, and community members committed to student success. The event will feature numerous professional learning opportunities, including IDEA legal issues, instructional practices, national trends and hot topics, special education compliance, preschool and secondary transition, and content for related service providers. This year’s conference will be held from August 21–23, 2023, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix.

Who can apply for a scholarship:
•    Youth/young adult between the ages of 14 and 26 who have a documented disability
•    Family members of a student with an IEP or 504 Plan 
•    Personal assistant who attends with a student or family member

Scholarships will cover the conference registration fee for each recipient as well as lodging and mileage for eligible recipients. Additional, important information is listed in the application.

A limited number of scholarships are available. Please complete the Youth and Family Scholarship application by June 30, 2023.

Please download the Youth and Family Scholarship flyer to promote this opportunity.

For more information about the IDEA Conference, visit the IDEA Conference website. Questions about the conference, registration, or the scholarship can be sent to the IDEA Conference inbox.