On September 11, 2025, Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) received findings from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) in the investigation of a complaint it filed against a rural school district on behalf of a student with disabilities. ADE’s Office of Dispute Resolution found the district to be out of compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in nine out of twelve issues it investigated.
As a result of the findings of noncompliance, the school district is being required to take various corrective action steps under the supervision of ADE. These include the provision of compensatory educational services to DRAZ’s student client; reviewing and revising district policies, procedures and systems that relate to evaluations, IEP documentation, and IEP implementation; and training all personnel (whether employed by or contracted by the district) responsible for providing a free appropriate public education to students on the topics of evaluation, extended school year services, records requests, prior written notice, and free appropriate public education.
DRAZ and our client are satisfied with this outcome and sincerely hope the required policy changes and trainings will result in a shift in practices at this school district and improved outcomes for current and future students.
DRAZ is sharing this state complaint outcome, including a redacted copy of the investigation findings and corrective action, as part of an ongoing effort to improve transparency around Arizona’s state complaint process. Arizona is one of only a handful of states in the United States that does not publish data or findings related to state complaints. This failure to report out prevents the public from reviewing and evaluating the fairness and effectiveness of the system. Particularly considering changes to federal special education administration and enforcement, it is vital that the Arizona state complaint system fulfill its mandate of ensuring compliance with IDEA in Arizona. DRAZ will continue to share, with permission from our clients, the findings and corrective action orders we obtain from ADE via state complaints.
DRAZ is monitoring the implementation of the corrective action in this case and remains committed to protecting the rights of all students with disabilities in Arizona.
