Best Practices in Education provides resources for educators, parents, and students. Topical content is provided in an effort to link individuals with research components, strategies, and learning concepts to improve educational outcomes. Content is archived in the following areas: Special Education, Reading/Language Arts, Math, General Learning Concepts, Administration, Discipline, and English as a Second Language.

The Arizona Content Standards address competencies by grade level in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, the Arts, Comprehensive Health  Education, Foreign and Native Language, Technology, and Workplace Skills. Each competence provides a foundation for connecting concepts and facts across the subject area, and then to other areas of the curriculum. The key factor is that children acquire enough prior knowledge and experience in one content area, so as to make that knowledge applicable to the other areas. Each standard includes the rationale for teaching the subject, the benefits to the student, and the benefits to society and the workplace. Research is cited indicating the value of the content area as a core subject. Each content area includes the levels of performance, the standard, the concepts related to that standard, and the performance objectives related to the concepts.

 

The Alternate Academic Standards address competencies in the following areas:  Math Grades K – High School, Reading Grades K – High School, Writing Grades K – High School, Science Grades 4 – 8 – High School, Alternate Comprehensive Health Standards, Alternate Workplace Skills Standards, and Alternate Listening and Speaking Standards.

 

All students in grades 2 through high school are required to participate in state testing.  Some students may receive testing accommodations (Special Education, Section 504, English Language Learners).  Students with a significant cognitive disability, approximately 1% of the population, may qualify to participate in an alternate assessment, AIMS-A. 

Arizona Department of Education Technical Assistance System (AZ-TAS) Documents 

AZ Help for Early Learning Professionals (HELP) - A Resource Manual for Early Childhood Special Education, June 2008

AZ-TAS Guidelines for Extended School Year Service (ESY), February 2007

AZ-TAS Evaluation and Eligibility:  Processes and Procedures from Referral to Determination of Eligibility, July 2009

AZ-TAS Arizona Graduation Requirements and the Provision of FAPE for Students with Disabilities, July 2010

AZ-TAS Individualized Education Programs: Processes and Procedures for Developing IEPs for Students with Disabilities, July 2008

AZ-TAS Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services: Processes and Procedures for Services in Public Schools, June 2008

AZ-TAS Prior Written Notice, April 2007

 

Presentations
 

The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services department, in accordance with IDEA 2004 and its regulations, provides sample presentation on the following topics:  Discipline Under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) , IDEA 2004 Implementation, Section 504 Implementation, Measureable Goals, Prior Written Notice, and Graduation.

 

Sorting Out Graduation for Students with Disabilities  

 

Forms
 

The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services department, in accordance with IDEA 2004 and its regulations, provides sample forms available for download for the following: Eligibility (each category of eligibility has a separate form), Non-Eligibility, FERPA Notice (English & Spanish), Procedural Safeguards Notice (English & Spanish), and Special Education Process Flowchart.

 

Autism Determination of Eligibility 

VI Determination of Eligibility  

Other Forms:  

 

Special Education Process Flow Chart 

 

The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services Department, in accordance with IDEA 2004 and its regulations, provides the following information regarding laws and regulations:  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statute,  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations Title I,  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations Title II, Arizona Administrative Code, Arizona Revised Statutes Title 15, Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 Statute, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 Regulations, National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard ( NIMAS): Final Rule Regulations, Section 504 Statute, Section 504 Regulations, and the Textbook Accessibility Act.

 

Many of the following documents are quite lengthy. Use the "Find" feature of your web browser to locate specific keywords or phrases.

 

Textbook Accessibility Act  

 

The United States Department of Education (ED) has the major responsibility of administering education programs. To help educators, policymakers, and citizens understand these programs, ED publishes each year a "Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs". ED establishes policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributes as well as monitors those funds, collects data on America's schools and disseminates research, focusing national attention on key educational issues, and prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.  It provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research. 

 

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers. 

 

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services.  RSA's major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to provide employment-related services for individuals with disabilities, giving priority to individuals who are significantly disabled.

 

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.  All programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.

 

The US Department of Justice's Guide to Disability Rights Laws provides an overview of Federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. To find out more about how these laws may apply to you, contact the agencies and organizations listed in the guide.