Displacement of students, school evaluations violate federal law, Arizona education agency says

July 28, 2026 - 21:12

The Arizona Department of Education has determined that the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind violated federal disability law by limiting where students can attend school. According to a recent report, the agency restricted placement options and failed to properly evaluate students, which runs counter to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The investigation found that the school system pressured families into accepting specific programs without offering a full range of choices. In some cases, students were denied access to their local public schools and were instead funneled into centralized campuses. The state education agency also noted that evaluations were not conducted in a timely manner, leaving some children without the services they legally need.

This ruling could force the school system to overhaul its admissions and assessment procedures. Parents have long complained that their children were not given the same opportunities as other students with disabilities. The department has ordered corrective actions, including new training for staff and a review of all pending placements. The school system has not yet issued a public response to the findings.