Displacement of students, school evaluations violate federal law, Arizona education agency says
Summary
The Arizona State Department of Education found that the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) broke federal disability law by limiting where blind and visually impaired students could attend school. This happened as ASDB planned to close its Tucson campus and move students 15 miles away, without giving families all placement options required by law.Key Facts
- ASDB is closing its west Tucson campus and moving services to Oro Valley for the 2026-27 school year.
- ASDB told blind and low-vision students and those in dorms they must attend schools in their home districts starting in 2026-27.
- The Arizona Department of Education said ASDB violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by deciding student placements ahead of time.
- The Department appointed a special monitor to oversee ASDB's actions and corrective measures.
- Families filed a lawsuit to delay the school closure, but a judge denied it.
- The University of Arizona’s Education Advocacy Clinic helped families file the complaint and observed that parents were not given all legal placement options.
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which detail special services for students, were not handled with full transparency according to the state’s investigation.
- ASDB is reviewing the findings with legal counsel and must respond to the state by August 28.
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