Special Education

Prescott Unified School District Office for Exceptional Student Services is committed to meeting the unique needs of students with disabilities by offering a continuum of services as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA). Prescott Unified School District offers free and appropriate public education to children ages 3 through 21 that meet special education eligibility requirements in one of thirteen disability categories in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

All students from birth through age 21 who are suspected of having a disability may be referred for a special education evaluation. School personnel, parents or guardians, physicians, community agencies, or other appropriate individuals may initiate a referral for special education evaluation. Referral of students for possible special education services is part of the Districts’ overall regular education referral and screening system.

If a parent makes a written request for an initial evaluation for special education services to an administrative employee of the school district, the district must respond no later than 15 school days after receiving the request. At that time, the district must give the parent a prior written notice of whether it agrees to or refuses to evaluate the student, along with a copy of the Summary of "Child Find" Procedures for Parents.  If the school district agrees to evaluate the student, it must also give the parent prior written notice for a special education evaluation. School personnel, parents or guardians, physicians, community agencies, or other appropriate individuals may initiate a referral for special education evaluation. Referral of students for possible special education services is part of the District's overall regular education referral and screening system.

A child’s eligibility for special education services is based on whether or not a qualified team of professionals determines the presence of a disability, the need for specially designed instruction and/or related services, and an adverse affect on the child’s education as part of a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (i.e., MET). An evaluation team consists of parents/guardians, general education teacher(s), a special education teacher, district representative, and school psychologist. Evaluation teams may also include support staff, such as a speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or adaptive physical education teacher.

An Individualized Education Plan (i.e., IEP) will be developed by a team of trained professionals that outlines the child’s special education services in the event that a child is identified with a disability.

If your child is enrolled at a Prescott USD #1 campus and you wish to request a special education evaluation, please provide the written request to the campus principal. If your child does not attend school but lives within the Prescott USD #1 boundaries or attends a Private School located within the Prescott USD #1 boundaries, please contact the Office of Exceptional Student Services at (928) 717-3236. The Office of Exceptional Student Services is located at 926 S. Hinman Street, Prescott, AZ 86305.