HB 2565
Initials CH Page 1 Education
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
HB 2565: ASDB; revisions
Sponsor: Representative Udall, LD 25
Committee on Education
Overview
Makes changes to placement and evaluation teams and home school district determinations for
children attending the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB).
History
ASDB provides schools and regional programs to sensory impaired individuals throughout
Arizona. Statute requires these schools to be fully recognized as educational institutions and as
optional resources to school districts, state institutions and other approved educational programs.
Resources provided by ASDB include assessments, special curriculum, equipment and materials,
supplemental related services, special short-term programs, staff development, information
services for families and research and development (A.R.S. § 15-1302).
An individual who is between the ages of 3 and 21 is entitled to an education from ASDB without
charge if they are an Arizona resident and have a sensory impairment that prevents them from
being properly educated in a school district (A.R.S. § 15-1343).
Home school district means the school district or charter school that the child last attended or, if
the child has not previously attended an Arizona public school, the school district in which their
legal guardian resides (A.R.S. § 15-761).
Provisions
1. Specifies ASDB campuses are considered local education agencies for the purposes of
providing a free and appropriate public education to pupils enrolled in a campus-based model
pursuant to federal law. (Sec. 1)
2. Specifies the evaluation and consideration of placement in ASDB is made under the discretion
of the chief administrative official of the home school district. (Sec. 2)
3. Directs ASDB, if a child's legal guardian directly refers a child to ASDB, to immediately contact
the home school district representative. (Sec. 2)
4. Requires a home school district representative to arrange for the establishment of a placement
and evaluation team for a child who was directly referred to ASDB by their guardian. (Sec. 2)
5. Authorizes the placement and review of an individualized education program to be conducted
when a placement and evaluation team determines the appropriate educational placement for
the child. (Sec. 2)
6. Alters the membership of a placement and evaluation team by:
a) Replacing an administrator from the school district in which the child resides with a home
school district representative who is:
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i. Qualified to provide or supervise the provision of specialty designed instruction to meet
the unique needs of children with disabilities; and
ii. Knowledgeable about the general education curriculum and the availability of
resources of the public agency;
b) Allowing the evaluator to be the child's home school district representative or the regular
education teacher member;
c) Specifying that the educational representative of ASDB may also be the certified teacher
of children with a sensory impairment;
d) Adding at least one regular education teacher if the child is or will be participating in the
regular educational environment; and
e) Including the child with a disability, if appropriate. (Sec. 2)
7. Directs ASDB to hold a placement meeting for a child who is enrolled in a campus-based
model at least annually to review the child's placement status and to invite a representative of
the child's home school district. (Sec. 2)
8. Requires a child's home school district to enroll the child if a determination is made that ASDB
is no longer the least restrictive environment. (Sec. 2)
9. Instructs a representative for special education of the home school district to place the child
according to the recommendations of the individualized education program team. (Sec. 2)
10. Classifies the new district of residence as the new home school district if a child who is placed
in ASDB moves from one school district or county to another. (Sec. 2)
11. Mandates a complete record of every person admitted to ASDB be kept from the date of the
person's admission to the date of the person's release, removal or graduation. (Sec. 2)
12. Requires the Office of Dispute Resolution of the Arizona Department of Education, rather than
the school district governing board or accommodation school where the child resides, to
investigate and take action regarding any question regarding the propriety of the placement
or admission of any person received in ASDB. (Sec. 2)
13. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)