The Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Data Management team is pleased to announce that the recording of the FY26 Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) webinar is now available for your viewing and reference. If you or your staff were unable to attend our webinar held on Thursday, April 23rd, we recommend watching this video to become familiar with reporting requirements and application updates for the FY2025-2026 SEDD process. PEAs can access the recording on our Vimeo account and our SEDD webpage.

The ESS Data Management team is also pleased to announce that we will begin hosting office hours starting on Monday, May 18th. Office hours provide PEAs with the opportunity to meet one-on-one via Microsoft Teams with an ESS Data Management specialist to review any ESS data reporting issues and challenges as they pertain to SEDD. PEAs can register for a 30-minute session by navigating to the ESS Data Management Bookings page.

Office Hours and other technical assistance opportunities are intended to provide guidance; however, they cannot replace the requirement for the PEA to verify and correct data prior to the submission deadline. If a specialist must reschedule a session due to emergent and/or conflicting obligations, we will do our best to communicate this in a timely manner.

Important Dates

• Now: SEDD is currently open
  • Validate that users have the correct access to the application
  • Validate that data is landing appropriately in SEDD
• July 15, 2026: AzEDS Data Deadline
  • Last day any data can be synced to AzEDS for FY26
  • Preschool Transition and SWOD data entry
• July 22, 2026: SEDD Certification opens
  • LEA Signer must complete electronically
• August 5, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
  • Late submissions may hold IDEA funds and impact PEA determinations

Please email the ESS Data Management inbox with any questions.

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include:   

• Reminders
• Trending topics 
• Year End Check List
• FY27 Data Management Updates
• Top Three Integrity Errors
• Q&A  

Please register by clicking this link. Registration is required to attend. If you have any questions, please email the ESS Data Management inbox.

All school districts, charter schools, secure care facilities, and the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) are required to annually administer the State Performance Plan Indicator 8 Parent Involvement Survey to parents of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The survey opened on January 19, 2026, via ADEConnect Data Surveys and will close on May 31, 2026.

Mail Merge Feature: The survey application has merged the individual student login codes and parent letters. This feature will make it easier for users to disseminate parent instructions.

Additional forms and guidance can be found on the Parent Involvement Survey Info for Schools website and in ADEConnect on the Data Surveys page.

If you do not already have access to the survey application or need to add additional users who should have the right to use this information and administer the survey, contact your entity ADEConnect administrator and ask to be assigned the ESS Data Surveys: User Role. If additional assistance is needed to be assigned the User Role, use the Help Desk ticketing system via ADEConnect.

Please email the Parent Survey Inbox with questions.

Start the 2026-2027 school year with stronger family partnerships, clearer communication, and a peaceful IEP experience for everyone at the table!

ADE/ESS is here to help with professional development designed to support your staff, engage families, and bring more collaboration (and less stress!) to the IEP process. Each facilitated IEP training is offered at no cost, and is customized to your school or district’s needs, focused on communication and problem-solving.

Don’t delay!  Kick off the new school year with professional development that makes a real difference. Whether your goal is to strengthen relationships and trust, prevent conflict, improve your questioning techniques, or sharpen facilitation skills, we’ll tailor the training to meet your specific needs.

Click on the link to learn more about this professional development: Facilitated IEP | Arizona Department of Education

Let’s work together to create more positive, productive IEP environments for students, families, and staff.

For additional information you can reach out to Carrie McCulloch, Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist, at (602) 542-7579 or [email protected]

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 until Friday, June 19, 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. 

NEW INTEGRITY RULE: Integrity Rule -40105 

Effective April 21, 2026, a new special education (SPED) data integrity rule will be implemented to validate preschool outcomes assessment scores (COS) reported to AzEDS. Exit scores are currently being pre-emptively reported to AzEDS.  

Integrity Message for -40105: Preschool exit outcomes may not be entered until the last day of the student's program. 

This new integrity rule aims to ensure outcomes assessments are not being entered prematurely. Exit outcomes assessments that have been entered prior to the student’s last day of the reported LRE will cause this integrity rule to fail. Exit scores entered prior to the last day of the LRE will need to be removed and/or republished on or after the last day of the LRE. 

The SPED-Related Integrity Rules tool found on our AzEDS SPED Reporting page has been updated to provide troubleshooting guidance for this integrity rule. Please also refer to the Preschool Outcomes Reporting Guidance document for information about reporting Preschool Outcomes scores. 

We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive event designed for Arizona’s special education leaders: the 2026 IDEA Leadership Preconference. This is your opportunity to collaborate, learn, and lead alongside peers who are shaping the future of special education across the state. 

Date:  Monday, August 17, 2026
Location: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort 7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:15 PM 
Price: Preconference-only registration is $150. A bundled registration option of $500 is available for attendees who wish to participate in both the preconference and the full IDEA Conference. Anyone interested in participating in the preconference—either as a single day experience or in addition to the full conference—should apply using the preconference application only.

What to Expect: 

• Engaging, interactive learning sessions featuring panels, tabletop discussions, and data-informed conversations focused on current trends and proactive district practices
• Dynamic networking opportunities with guided tabletop discussions designed to foster collaboration, share expertise, and build meaningful professional connections
• Structured moments for leadership reflection and practical problem solving, centered on real world challenges and actionable district level solutions

Preconference Schedule: 

• 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Registration and Lunch

• 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Concurrent Session 1 

• 2:45 – 4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 2 

• 4:15 – 5:15 PM | Networking Reception 

Each concurrent session will be offered twice to allow attendees to participate in both options. 

Who Should Apply? 

This event is designed for professionals in special education leadership roles at the district or charter level, including: 

• Directors, Managers, and Leads of special education programs 

• Specialists and Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) supporting special education services 

• Site-based leaders in administrative or leadership roles (formal title not required) 

Guidelines and Requirements: 

• Each Public Education Agency (PEA) may register up to two eligible leaders. Capacity is capped and final participation decisions will be made by ADE

• Priority is given to school-employed, site-based staff 

• Additional names and on-site based staff will be placed on a waitlist, and if space allows, they will be invited to register 

Ready to Lead? Apply for Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Director’s Preconference  

Need help with completing registration? Please email the IDEA Conference inbox or join the IDEA Conference Planning Committee during an upcoming office hour. Please register in advance for a virtual office hour time slot.

Let’s come together to reflect, network, and build stronger systems that impact outcomes for every student in Arizona. We look forward to seeing you there! 

We are thrilled to announce that professional registration is now open for Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student. This year’s conference will take place August 18–20, 2026, with preconference sessions on August 17, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort. 

The registration fee for professionals is $425 per person. Payment may be made by MasterCard, Visa, or Discover, check, or purchase order. With procurement deadlines for PEAs approaching, we encourage you to register promptly—spots are expected to fill quickly. To ensure equal access, we may limit the number of attendees per district or charter organization to maximize participation.  

Registration process 

1. Submit a seat request for review by the IDEA Conference Committee. 

2. If your request is approved for payment, you will receive instructions to complete registration by submitting payment through the Arizona Professional Learning and Development System (APLD). Please note: payments submitted without an approved seat request will be canceled. 

3. If notified by email, submit the Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference Supplemental Form to complete registration. 

New this year: Each seat request must include an active ADE Professional Learning & Development (APLD) Learner ID. This Learner ID is required to confirm the APLD account that will be associated with payment for each seat request. If staff has not yet been identified, or if the identified staff member does not yet have an APLD account, you may still submit a seat request to secure a spot. The attendee’s name and APLD Learner ID can be collected through the supplemental form (referenced in step 3), until July 27, 2026. 

For more information on registration—including how to submit a seat request, lodging options, and FAQs—please visit the IDEA Conference Registration webpage. 

Need help with completing registration? Please email the IDEA Conference inbox or join the IDEA Conference Planning Committee during an upcoming office hour. Please register in advance for a virtual office hour time slot. 

Information regarding the Special Education Leadership Preconference application and registration process will be released in the coming days. Anyone interested in participating in the preconference—either as a single day experience or in addition to the full conference—should apply using the preconference application only. 

We look forward to learning with you at this year’s conference. For the latest announcements please visit the IDEA Conference website. 

The ADE/ESS Special Education Program Approval system for the 2026–2027 school year will open on April 13, 2026. ESS plans to have all Private Special Education Schools, Emotional Disabilities Public (ED-P) programs, and Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) that wish to operate for fiscal year 2027 reviewed and approved by June 15, 2026.  See memo here.

If you have questions, please email the Private Day and ED-P inbox or the ESS Vouchers inbox.

NEW INTEGRITY RULE: Integrity Rule -40104

As of March 30, 2026, a new special education (SPED) data integrity rule was implemented to validate and capture student exits from SPED services. Under IDEA, students are eligible for SPED services through 21 years of age unless they have graduated with a regular high school diploma. Students who turn 22 years of age during the school year are eligible to complete the year with services; however, they have effectively reached the maximum age allowable for services.

Integrity Message for -40104: Students may not have an exit reason School Is Out when they are over 22 years of age by June 30. Please adjust to exit reason Reached Maximum Age.

This new integrity rule aims to better capture students who are aging out of IDEA eligibility at the end of the reporting year.

The SPED-Related Integrity Rules tool found on our AzEDS SPED Reporting page has been updated to provide troubleshooting guidance for this integrity failure. Please also refer to the SPED Exit validation matrix for allowable SPED and enrollment exit code combinations.