As parents and educators, we know that no two children learn alike or have same educational needs. The Special Services Department, through leadership and collaboration with schools, parents and students, provides students with disabilities an appropriate education based on learning outcomes emphasizing academic, personal/social and daily living skills.
Children who need extra help at school in order to learn may need special education services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA) and Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973. Some challenges that students experience are resolved with assistance from the Team Approach Process committee at each school commonly referred to as TAP. At times, students are referred for further assessment to determine if special education services or adjustments to the regular education program are required. There are many steps that must be followed to decide whether a child's educational needs require the assistance of special education. Checks and balances are built into each step and a team approach is used to ensure that children who need special education will receive such services.
If you have any questions about eligibility for special programs or would like more information, contact your school principal, visit the "Parents" web link, or call the Department of Special Services at 602-347-2632. The department also facilitates student health services and alternative education services for selected students.
If you have a concern about a child's development under the age of 3, you can still make referrals quickly and easily using AzEIP's online referral at www.azdes.gov/AzEIP
or contact the Early Intervention Team assigned to your zip code listed in the following link: