General information and document preparation — not legal advice.
Special education by state
Special Education & IEP Help in Arizona
If your child has — or might need — an IEP in Arizona, this page puts the Arizona-specific rules into plain English: how long an evaluation can take, how Arizona rates on federal special-education oversight, the people who help for free, and exactly how to push back when something is wrong. Federal law (IDEA) is the floor everywhere; Arizona adds the details below.
How long does an IEP evaluation take in Arizona?
Arizona must finish the initial evaluation within 60 calendar days after you sign written consent — the same as the federal rule. (The deadline can be extended by 30 days if you and the school agree in writing.)
That matches the federal default of 60 calendar days.
Source: Ariz. Admin. Code R7-2-401(E)(3)
Arizona's federal IDEA rating
Arizona is currently rated “Meets requirements” — the U.S. Department of Education found that the state met federal special-education requirements in its most recent annual review. That is the top of four ratings — but it does not guarantee your own district is following the law.
Where to get free help in Arizona
Two places help Arizona families at no cost:
Parent Training & Information Center (free, federally funded)
Encircle Families (formerly Raising Special Kids) — Arizona's Parent Training and Information Center
Arizona special-education agency
Exceptional Student Services (ESS), Arizona Department of Education
How to file a special-education complaint in Arizona
File a signed, written complaint with ADE's Dispute Resolution Unit and send a copy to your school at the same time; ADE investigates and issues a written decision within 60 calendar days.
Your rights everywhere (federal law)
These IDEA rights apply in Arizona and every state. Start here:
Understand your child's IEP — line by line
IEP Path decodes the plan into plain language, flags what's weak or missing, and writes the letters — in English and Spanish.