Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is a state and federally mandated program for children (ages 3-5) who meet state eligibility criteria because they are experiencing developmental delays. School districts and other public agencies are responsible for locating, identifying and evaluating eligible children and offering a free & appropriate public education (FAPE). Eligible children are entitled to a FAPE at no cost to the family. If a child is eligible, the public school district of the child must offer services to meet their identified needs. When a delay is suspected, or children are not meeting milestones, local school districts offer Child Find services to observe and evaluate children's play, communication, behavior, learning and movement skills. Please visit the Child Find resource page for further information about this service or call your local school district to request a screening. Currently there are over 10,300 children receiving special education services (2020 data). To support programs offering preschool special education services, the Early Childhood Special Education unit provides technical assistance and professional development across the state. Contact us if you have questions or needs regarding special education programs and services for preschool aged children.

 

Early Childhood Special Education Summit 2021

 

Administrator ResourcesEducator ResourcesParent Resources 

 

Early Childhood Special Education Staff:

Name

Position

Phone

Email Address

Office Hours/Link

Suzanne Perry

Director, 619 Coordinator

602-542-1113

[email protected]

Wed. 2:30 – 4:30 PM   

Erika Argueta

Program Specialist

602-542-3160

[email protected]

Wed. 1:00 – 2:00 PM  

Elizabeth Hamilton

Program Specialist

602-364-1948

[email protected]

Mon. & Wed. 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Tami Philips

Program Specialist

602-542-3183

[email protected]

Wed. 2:00-4:00 PM

Lenka Studnicka

Program Specialist

602-542-1137

[email protected]

Wed. 10:00 – 12:00 PM

From the Exceptional Student Services Blog

FISCAL UPDATE: Ancillary Services and Group B Funding - Information Needed Thu, Jan 21 2021 Data Management, Updates

Arizona students with disabilities receiving special education services are reported into AzEDS to generate state funding as appropriate. Dependent on the disability, students with disabilities receive varying weighted totals under state aid. There is a fundable scenario that is not able to be reported into AzEDS at this time, which is comprised of students who require ancillary services but do not require special education instruction as outlined in A.R.S. § 15-769(D).
RECRUITMENT & RETENTION INFORMATION: Education Career Fairs Calendar Thu, Jan 21 2021 Professional Learning and Sustainability, Updates

As part of our ongoing recruitment efforts on behalf of Arizona’s public schools, ADE/ESS compiles and updates a list of education career fairs happening at educator preparation programs across the country.

If your school is planning to recruit for special education teachers from out of state, we hope this list will make that task a bit easier for you. This list is available on the Arizona Education Employment Board website under the “Find a University Job Fair” icon.