American Exceptional Students Association is a group of families dedicated to students who are “outside the curve.” Whether delayed or gifted, exceptional students need support beyond that of neurotypical children. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on providing resources and training to parents of exceptional children.
How Are We Helping?
AESA is dedicated to offering information and resources to parents of exceptional students in ANY educational setting.
The PARK is AESA’s closed social network exclusive to paid members. In The PARK, we share stories and articles just like other social media. Content in The PARK is usually focused on special education topics, but if you want to just come to a place that you can feel free to talk about any subject and feel safe that your information will not be shared with anyone, then spend some time here. Soon, there will be games and prizes for participation in The PARK.
EESA Conference
Has homeschool become boring and old? Have your kids lost interest in learning? Are you looking for ideas you can use to help make homeschool more exciting?
You won’t want to miss this year’s EESA Convention! We are assembling what we think is a variety of vendors, workshops and classes that can help put the joy and fun back in your homeschool life.
We will have more than 30 exhibitors all in one place offering some of the finest special-education curriculum and resources on the market to families who use cash, credit cards and Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds. Nearly all vendors will be ESA-approved and familiar with ESA billing.
Educational Advocacy Training
If you are an advocate, a special education teacher, a school psychologist or other individual who either wants to learn more about advocacy or share best practices with other special education specialists, we encourage you to join this group where you can learn from others or share your extensive knowledge. If you have been advocating for your child and now feel you are ready to help advocate for others, join our Facebook group Educational Advocates United.
Public/Charter School
This group is the start of it all. With over 7,000 members worldwide, AESA’s IEP/504 group is your first stop if you are lost and feel overwhelmed in the IEP/504 process. If you feel your child has a learning difficulty and is registered in a district public school, or a charter public school, we can help you by explaining the 504/IEP process. If the school denies services, we can guide you in your options. If your child currently receives services, we can help you to make sure the school complies with federal and state special education law. Through group advocacy, we can answer most questions you have for FREE just by asking the question in the group. Group advocacy is the most cost-effective way often to get the assistance you need to help communicate effectively with the school. Of course, one-on-one advocacy is offered at a reduced rate depending on which membership tier you belong to.
Homeschool/ESA
The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is an account administered by The Arizona Department of Education that is funded by state tax dollars to provide educational options for qualified Arizona students. By opting out of the public school system, parents can seek a range of alternative educational services, such as private school or home-based education.
Whether you follow the legal definition of homeschooling, or you educate your child on ESA at home, we will support you. We provide resources that will help you set up your school at home and will recommend products and other services that may help with continuing education. We also work with vendors who are familiar with the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds. Once a year, we sponsor the Empowering Exceptional Students of Arizona (EESA) Conference. The conference is designed to provide parents who educate their child with special needs at home with learning opportunities, networking possibilities, and ESA-friendly vendors ready to assist you in your child’s educational needs.
AESA’s Blog
Arizona Exceptional Students Association offers a blog like no other. Our blog covers a multitude of subjects all focused on special education. We cover topics ranging from special education law and homeschooling to activities and games for special needs children. Our blog is research-based and includes links to all relevant sources. We want you to learn as much as you can about special needs education. We want to give you the power and the knowledge to advocate for your child. Our blog is a great way to begin gathering all the information you are going to need to navigate special education in the private, home, or public educational setting.
REED Scholarship
The Resources for Exceptional Education Defense (REED) Scholarship will provide money to families who need to retain a special education attorney. Sometimes things don’t quite work out with a school district or school and it turns into a legal battle. Many parents can not afford to retain an attorney. The REED Scholarship will present recipients with $3000 to use towards Due Process.
Private School/ESA
If you have chosen to send your child to a private school with or without ESA funds, we can help to supplement your educational needs. We can offer tutoring services and recommend tutors who are not only licensed in the content area but who take ESA funds and are familiar with ESA billing. We can also assist with educational advocacy needs.
