Updates

We are pleased to announce the ESS Discipline Data Collection (DDC) application is now open for FY21 SPED discipline incident submissions.  All disciplinary incidents that result in the removal of a student receiving special education services are required to be submitted in the DDC application.  The application will only accept incidents for students reported as SPED in AzEDS on the date of incident.  More information about the ESS Discipline Data Collection is available on our Annual SPED Data Collection webpage.

SPED integrity rule -40055 is defined as follows:  

If a student’s SPED Exit Reason does not match the student’s regular membership Year End or Withdrawal Membership status, then report the discrepancy as an error. This rule is triggered for all SPED data effective April 1st of the fiscal year to capture mismatches and relevant data elements not reported. (See the SPED Exit Validation Matrix)

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is applying for federal funding under IDEA 2004 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.  The eligibility document serves as the basis for the operation and administration of activities to carry out the requirements of Part B of the IDEA. In accordance with 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.165 and 441 (b)(7), the federal regulations that implement the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) ((20 U.S.C. §1232d(b)(7)(B)), this application is posted for public participation and comment.

Special Education Directors,

Please review this memo regarding the extension of CARES Act funding for IDEA compensatory services.

An enhancement to Integrity Rule -40055 will be introduced into the integrity process on FY21 SPED data shortly. This update is a continuation of our effort to ensure clean data for the state. Updated one-sheet Integrity Tools are available on our AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage for troubleshooting tips.

ESS Data Management will be hosting a training webinar for the ESS Discipline Data Collection (DDC) on April 5, 2021, from 10am – 12pm. Please join us to learn about new updates and how to report your DDC data accurately and timely. If you’re unable to join us, we will be posting a recording of the webinar on our website.

The ADE Math Team has scheduled office hours to allow educators to meet together to network, problem-solve, and develop solutions to allow all Arizona teachers and students to continue to feel supported and to be successful.

Grade-band meetings are provided for all math teachers, including special education teachers! These grade-band meetings will include opportunities for networking, problem solving, and sharing different implementation models. Office hours are one hour long with an additional 30 minutes at the end for a Q & A session.  Participants can earn one hour of professional development credit for each session attended.

The purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Compliance Testing is to ensure that local education agencies (LEAs) do not supplant state and local funds with IDEA federal funding sources per 34 C.F.R. §300.203(b). Any LEA that received federal entitlement funds for the IDEA must be tested for MOE Compliance.

Please see the this memo to review changes to the upcoming grant cycle for IDEA Basic and IDEA Preschool (IDEA Consolidated).

Special Education Directors,
Please see below for the IDEA Conference offerings in March