Registration for Arizona's 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student is currently open and will remain open until July 27, 2026, or until conference capacity is reached. Once capacity is reached, interested attendees will be placed on a waitlist.

With strong interest already underway, we encourage you to submit your seat request as soon as possible.

Why Attend?

This year's conference features an outstanding lineup of nationally recognized speakers, including:

• Jeremy Poincenot, World Champion Blind Golfer and motivational keynote speaker
• Brandon Wright, nationally recognized IDEA and special education law expert
• Malcolm Mitchell, Super Bowl Champion and literacy advocate
• Winston Clements, accessibility consultant and advocate

Check out our full line up of keynote and premier speakers.

Attendees will have access to professional learning opportunities on:

• IDEA legal updates and compliance
• Inclusive practices and Universal Design for Learning
• AI and assistive technology
• Early childhood special education
• Secondary transition and employment
• Behavior supports
• Family engagement and leadership development

The conference will also feature:

• Specialized session tracks for educators, families, youth, and leaders
• Student and Young Adult Art Exhibit
• Secondary Transition Services Awards
• Networking opportunities, receptions, and special evening events

Conference Details

📅 August 18–20, 2026
📅 Preconference: August 17, 2026
📍 Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
💲 $425 Professional Registration

Registration Process

1. Submit a seat request for review by the IDEA Conference Committee.
2. Upon approval, complete payment through APLD.
3. Complete any required supplemental registration information.

Don't wait—space is limited, and once capacity is reached, registrations will move to a waitlist.

For registration information, lodging details, and FAQs, please visit the IDEA Conference website.

We look forward to learning with you this August!

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Interpreting, Mentoring, Education & Training (IMET) self-paced online courses offered by Utah State University. These courses are designed to support continuous professional learning for educational sign language interpreters and are now available for self-enrollment. 

 The IMET Program offers comprehensive online learning opportunities specifically designed for educational sign language interpreters. Upon successful course completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and may also earn RID CEUs upon request. Courses are provided at no cost to participants. 

  IMET Self-paced Online Course Catalog 

 Participants will attend weekly meetings, alternating between language coaching and interpreter mentoring. Meetings typically take place in the evenings using virtual platforms. Accepted participants must be available to meet during the evening meeting session times offered. Participants can expect to commit approximately 8-10 hours per week on mentor sessions, assessments, assignments, and reflection reports. The Educational Interpreter Mentorship Track has been specially designed for the work and exam for educational interpreters. The mentorship track is funded by the ADE and offered at no cost to the participant. Participants are responsible for paying for the EIPA exam registration fee. Space is limited, so apply early!

 The track will run September 2026 - May 2027           

Application Deadline: August 9th, 2026

Scan to Apply

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices or Jennifer Harvey [email protected]

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

Integrity Error -40059 Revised

Integrity Error -40059 has been revised to help ensure that all students receiving special education services who have been expelled or placed on long-term suspension (LTS) are receiving a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Prior Logic: Integrity error -40059 will fail if the student is not reported with the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) H within 6 days of the student being exited from their special education program with SPED exit code 11.

New Logic: Integrity error -40059 will fail if:

• The student is being exited from their special education program with SPED exit code 11;
• AND the following is true:
  • There is no discipline incident indicating that the parent declined services;
  • Special education services are not reported with an LRE following the SPED exit code 11.

To coincide with the new logic, the following changes have been made to the integrity error message and description:

• -40059
  • Updated Error Message: Unable to verify special education program status after exiting a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with SPED exit code 11.
  • Updated Error Description: Students with special education services are required to be provided special education services following a withdrawal for long-term suspension or expulsion, unless Parents have waived FAPE.

The revised integrity error message and description has been updated on our SPED-Related Integrity Rules tool published on our ESS AzEDS SPED Reporting web page.

We are currently working on updating our Discipline Data guidance document to provide further clarification regarding discipline reporting requirements and will try to have this available as soon as possible.                              

Please contact [email protected] with any questions regarding this update.   

ESS/Program Support and Monitoring (PSM) is proud to announce the release of the SY 2026–2027 Programmatic Monitoring Manual. This manual is intended to assist public education agencies (PEAs) in participating in and preparing for programmatic monitoring activities. The forms associated with programmatic monitoring activities can be found on the PSM website under Differentiated Monitoring Activities. 

Please contact your PEA’s assigned specialist with questions.  

The ADE/ESS Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices team is pleased to announce the K–12 State Braille Transcriber Project.

This no-cost professional learning opportunity provides virtual instruction, individualized coaching, and collaborative learning designed to prepare participants to become certified Braille transcribers. Through coursework aligned to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) curriculum, participants will build the knowledge and skills needed to support students with visual impairments through high-quality, accessible instructional materials.

Participants will deepen their understanding of:

• Braille transcription and production
• Special education requirements, including IDEA, FAPE, and LRE
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) considerations for students with visual impairments
• Effective practices for supporting access, participation, and progress

Professional development hours are available for participants who successfully complete program requirements.

If you have staff members interested in expanding their expertise and supporting students with visual impairments, we encourage them to apply. 

Application

For questions, please contact the Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices team.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring equitable access and meaningful learning opportunities for all students.

Effective June 8, 2026, integrity error -40105: Preschool exit outcomes may not be entered until the last day of the student's program, will now be a FED SPED warning instead of a FED SPED failure.

For guidance on resolving any SPED integrity errors, please refer to the SPED-Related Integrity Rules document available on AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage for detailed steps.

Please feel free to email Data Management inbox with any questions.

Don't Miss This Summer Professional Learning Opportunity!

 ADE/ESS and STAR Autism Support are partnering to provide free professional learning opportunities for PEA staff this summer through in-person and virtual workshops.

 These hands-on learning experiences are designed to support educators working with students with autism and developmental disabilities. Participants will explore evidence-based instructional practices, engage in practical applications, and leave with tools, lesson plans, data systems, and strategies that can be implemented immediately.

 Participants will:

• Learn evidence-based practices that support student success
• Strengthen instructional planning and implementation
• Gain practical tools and resources for the classroom
• Connect learning to real-world classroom application
• Access opportunities for ongoing coaching and support

 School Team Coaching Opportunity

 Schools that participate as a team may qualify for STAR-certified coaching visits. To be eligible, teams must include:

• Special Education Teacher
• General Education Teacher or District Coach
• Related Service Staff or Paraprofessional

 Professional Learning Opportunities

 2-Day STAR Comprehensive Workshop (In-Person)
This two-day workshop provides detailed examples and practical applications of evidence-based practices identified in the National Standards Report (2009). Participants will learn instructional methods related to discrete trial teaching, pivotal response training, and teaching through functional routines.

• June 22-23 | Phoenix

 2-Day STAR and Links Virtual Comprehensive Workshop  
This two-day virtual workshop focuses on implementing evidence-based practices for secondary students using the STAR and Links curriculum. Participants will learn assessment, instructional planning, and strategies for supporting students within daily routines and targeted skill instruction. During this session participants will be broken into either STAR or Links break out rooms to practice skills specific to STAR or Links

•  June 17-18 | Virtual
• July 14-15 | Virtual

 Register Today!

We are excited to partner with educators across Arizona to strengthen inclusive practices and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

For registration, questions, or assistance, please contact Bekah Anderson at STAR Autism Support or email Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices team.

Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up your new special education teachers for Teach Camp!

Teach Camp is a three-day, camp-themed professional learning experience packed with practical resources, strategies, and a strong campfire community of support so that new special education teachers not only survive but thrive as they begin their teaching journey. Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in one of Arizona’s public schools in the fall of 2026.  

Navigating the Journey: Camp Essentials 

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held July 7–9, 2026, at Rio Salado College Conference Center, 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 
• The cost per teacher is $195
• Each camper will receive: 
  • The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers (3rd edition) 
  • One-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children 
  • Additional valuable resources to pack in their teaching backpack 

Trailblazing Together: What Teach Camp Alumni Are Saying! 

• “The resources and guidance provided have helped boost my confidence as I begin my journey as a special education teacher.” 
• “I’m hiking away with a full backpack of ideas and a happy teacher heart! Huge thanks to everyone who planned, presented, and made camp such an unforgettable experience. I’d sign up again in a heartbeat—just point me to the trailhead!” 
• “I loved the warm, welcoming environment, the rockstar presenters (aka our fearless trail guides), and meeting so many fellow campers who were eager to share their survival skills and teaching hacks. Teach Camp was s’more than I expected!” 

Ready for Your Teachers to Join the Adventure? 

Registration for Teach Camp is open on a first-come, first-served basis and has been extended until Friday, June 26, 2026. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the district or charter organization, not the special education teacher. Please note that there is a limit of ten registrations for each district or charter, after which participants will be placed on a waiting list. Travel reimbursement is available for eligible districts and charter organizations for up to five travelers per organization with additional travelers as funding allows. Reimbursement details are provided in the registration form. Please be aware that we may reduce the group size per district or charter organization to accommodate the attendance of more districts/charters and budget constraints for travel reimbursement. On-site registration is not available.  

Spots are limited—register your teachers for Teach Camp today! 

Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp. 

ESS/Program Support & Monitoring is pleased to announce the release of the SY 2026–2027 Programmatic Monitoring Guide Steps. Attached is the release memo that indicates some of the recent updates.

The Guide Steps is a technical assistance document created to aid public education agencies (PEAs) in understanding the requirements specific to programmatic monitoring. Legal compliance may be more extensive as it relates to a state complaint or due process. Any examples should not be taken directly and added to a student’s IEP or evaluation because each student is unique and has his/her own set of circumstances that must be addressed through his/her individual evaluation and IEP.

We hope that these Guide Steps assist PEAs in reviewing student documentation for compliance purposes and in reviewing systemic, programmatic needs within the PEA. Questions can be directed to your PEA’s Program Support & Monitoring Specialist.

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration for the 2026–2027 Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) is now open!

The purpose of this professional learning opportunity is to support new special education directors in effectively navigating federal and state special education requirements, accessing ADE/ESS resources, and building a strong professional network. The SENDS series addresses key areas of ADE/ESS oversight and support including compliance and legal requirements, funding, data management, dispute resolution, assessment, and professional learning opportunities.

Eligibility
New special education directors directly employed by Arizona public education agencies in their first or second year of being a special education director (including any previous positions) in the fall of 2026 are eligible to attend SENDS.

Registration
The $100 registration fee for SENDS includes:

• Registration for the in-person kick-off session on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at ADE North,100 N. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007 
• Follow-up webinars scheduled during the 2026–27 school year 
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and CEC’s Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) special interest division as well as the Arizona Council for Exceptional Children (AZCEC) and the Arizona Council of Administrators of Special Education (AZCASE)

Registration is open until Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Travel Reimbursement
Funding is available to support travel costs for districts and charter organizations traveling 50 miles or more from the district, charter, or school work location of the special education director to ADE North, 100 N. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007.  Reimbursements will be issued to the district or charter organization, not the special education director, through the Arizona Procurement Portal. Please note that APP registration is required.  Additional information regarding travel reimbursement for eligible PEAs will be provided upon completion of registration. 

Register for the Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) training!

If you have questions about SENDS, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.