IEP Related Services in Arizona
What related services can be included in an IEP in Arizona?
Arizona provides related services as defined by federal law (34 CFR 300.34) — developmental, corrective, and other supportive services required to assist a pupil with a disability to benefit from special education. The IEP must specify each related service with its frequency, duration, location, and projected start date (A.A.C. R7-2-401; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)). Related services available under Arizona IEPs include speech-language pathology, audiology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, counseling services, social work services, school health services, parent counseling and training, transportation, recreation, assistive technology services, and orientation and mobility services. A.R.S. § 15-764 specifically requires school districts to provide specialized transportation for pupils whose IEPs require it. Charter schools in Arizona, defined as public educational agencies under A.R.S. § 15-761, must provide or arrange for all required related services in the same manner as school districts (A.R.S. § 15-183(E)(7)). Assistive technology devices and services must be provided when the IEP team determines they are required for FAPE; home use must be authorized if necessary for the pupil to benefit from special education (34 CFR 300.105). All related services are provided at no cost to parents as part of FAPE (A.R.S. § 15-761; 34 CFR 300.17).
What Arizona Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its frequency, duration, location, and projected start date (A.A.C. R7-2-401; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Specialized transportation is a required related service when specified in the IEP; A.R.S. § 15-764 requires school districts to provide it at no cost to parents.
All related services must be provided at no cost to parents as part of FAPE (A.R.S. § 15-761; 34 CFR 300.17).
Arizona charter schools, as public educational agencies, must provide or arrange for all required related services in the same manner as school districts (A.R.S. § 15-183(E)(7); A.R.S. § 15-761).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided when required for FAPE; home use must be authorized if necessary for the student to benefit from special education (34 CFR 300.105; per federal baseline applied in AZ).
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP and must be in effect at the start of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually at the IEP meeting and adjusted based on the pupil's progress and changing needs (A.A.C. R7-2-401; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
For transfer students, the receiving district must provide comparable services while a new IEP is developed (34 CFR 300.323(e)–(f)).