Goddard Legal Opinion Says Not All Special Education Students Have to Pass AIMS to Graduate

(Phoenix, Ariz. – February 9, 2005)  Attorney General Terry Goddard today issued a legal opinion indicating that local school districts are allowed to exempt special education students from taking the Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS).  

The opinion addressed a question posed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The opinion states that local school districts can develop graduation requirements for students enrolled in special education programs.  These requirements would take into consideration a student’s individual education program and would be consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The Opinion is available online at www.azag.gov.