Arizona Department of Education (ADE) recently introduced its new website in conjunction with plans from Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas in its effort to simplify connections among the department, individual schools, educators and the public.

The website adopted a new, user-friendly appearance and incorporated a mobile-friendly layout, according to a press release.

Soon after Douglas became superintendent of public instruction in early 2015, a federal mandate ordered the department to make the site accessibility-compliant. Douglas described the ruling in a press release as “a happy coincidence."

“I felt it was critical to update our outdated website, our first source of information,” Douglas said in the release. “While working to that end we ensured all Arizonans receive that information. That we were thinking ahead of the federal mandate was a happy coincidence.”

Additionally, ADE's information technology department recently received an award at the 2017 IT World Awards in San Francisco. Network Products Guide, a research source, presented the department with a Gold Award in the category of Best IT Products and Services for Education.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented and innovative IT staff,” Douglas said. “They continue to show how resourceful our ADE IT department is in guaranteeing we have the best products to serve our students, our schools, and the people of Arizona.”