DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

Section 618 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public education agencies (PEAs) to report specific data each year, including discipline incidents for students receiving special education services, expulsions of students not receiving special education services, and students who exited special education during the reporting year. PEAs review, validate, and certify these data using the Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD).

The ESS Data Management team is holding a webinar via Zoom to guide PEAs through end-of-year reporting in the SEDD application. The session will cover recent application updates, exit and discipline data requirements, and key deadlines to support accurate and timely reporting. A recording of the webinar will be made available for those unable to attend.

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026  
Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.  
Register for the online training

We hope to see you during the SEDD webinar!

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ESS Data Management inbox or call us at 602-542-3962.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include:    

• Reminders  

• Trending topics  
  • • Voucher Students in AzEDS
    • Discipline Data
    • Exit Data

• Top Three Integrity Errors 
• Out of scope Topics

• 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.  

Section 618 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public education agencies (PEAs) to report specific data each year, including discipline incidents for students receiving special education services, expulsions of students not receiving special education services, and students who exited special education during the reporting year. PEAs review, validate, and certify these data using the Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD).

The ESS Data Management team is holding a webinar via Zoom to guide PEAs through end-of-year reporting in the SEDD application. The session will cover recent application updates, exit and discipline data requirements, and key deadlines to support accurate and timely reporting. A recording of the webinar will be made available for those unable to attend.

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026  
Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.  
Register for the online training

We hope to see you during the SEDD webinar!

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ESS Data Management inbox or call us at 602-542-3962.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT  

FY27 Statement of Assurances Open for Submission 

The FY27 Statement of Assurances application is open for submission. All public education agencies (PEAs) must submit the IDEA Statement of Assurances (SOA) through the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Portal within ADEConnect. This is required before any FY27 activities in the ESS Portal are allowable. The portal will block any PEA that has not completed the SOA effective July 1, 2026, which is when FY27 begins. 

The application is now open for submission and closes on June 10, 2026. 

The SOA must be submitted by the Superintendent, Charter Holder, or Special Education Director of your PEA before FY27 IDEA funding applications are approved in the Grants Management Enterprise system. 

• Only a user with the ADEConnect role of “ESS Special Education : Signer” is able to complete the Statement of Assurances
• If the necessary individual does not have the “ESS Special Education : Signer” role associated with their ADEConnect account, an ADEConnect Administrator for your PEA must assign the role of “ESS Special Education : Signer” to the individual who will review, sign, and submit the Statement of Assurances. 

• PEAs that do not apply for IDEA funds are still required to submit the SOA.  

Please log in to ADEConnect, navigate to the Exceptional Student Services Portal, and select the Statement of Assurances link under Surveys & Assurances.

The survey code will auto-populate for your PEA. On each page, select the “Yes” checkbox to indicate your assurances for the corresponding requirements.

After completing the survey, the SOA may be printed for your records. To verify submission, you may re-access the SOA; a “Thank you for submitting” page will display if your submission is complete.

Please direct any questions to [email protected]. 
 

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.   

 Title:                JOT: Classroomscreen 

Presenters:    Laura Wooten-LaFranier, M.Ed., ADE AT Specialist  

Date:               Wednesday, April 22, 2026  

Time:               11:30 AM–12:00 PM  

 Description:    Manage your classroom at the end of the year in a fun and engaging way. Classroomscreen is an online whiteboard website that supports general and special education by providing visual, interactive tools to create structured, predictable environments. Come learn about features that help students follow routines, understand instructions, and discover how to further engage students in interactive activities that build skills and assist communication in this quick, 30-minute JOT (Just One Thing).  

Learn how Classroomscreen provides collaborative options to promote independence and participation. Simple, yet flexible, Classroomscreen enhances individualized instruction, supports IEP goals, and fosters inclusion. It’s an effective resource for teachers, therapists, and assistive technology specialists to deliver engaging, accessible learning experiences. 

Register for AT JOT: Classroomscreen  

If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email the Assistive Technology team at [email protected].  

In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program, ADE/ESS is excited to be able to offer scholarships for Arizona youth and their families. Scholarships are available so that youth and young adults with disabilities and/or their family member/personal assistant can attend Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student. This year’s conference will be held from August 18–20, 2026, with preconference activities on Monday August 17, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.

Who can apply for a scholarship:

• Youth/young adult between the ages of 14 and 26 who has a documented disability
• Family member of a student with an IEP or 504 Plan
• Caregiver who attends with a student or family member

Scholarships will cover the conference registration fee for each recipient as well as lodging and mileage for eligible recipients.

ADE/ESS also partners with the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration/Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program to support registration scholarships for students with disabilities ages 14–22 receiving  Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).

Additionally, important information is listed in the application. A limited number of scholarships are available. All applications must be completed by May 29, 2026.

Please email the IDEA Conference inbox for questions about this opportunity. 

Download our flyers for more information on the Youth and Family Scholarship.

Revised 4.2.26

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) provides the following notice regarding the public participation and comment process for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B State Application.

FFY 2026 IDEA Part B State Application

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) will apply for federal funding under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The IDEA Part B State Application serves as the basis for the operation and administration of state-level activities carried out to meet the requirements of Part B of the IDEA. 

As required by the public participation provisions set forth in the IDEA Part B regulations at 34 C.F.R. § 300.165 and section 441(b)(7) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232d(b)(7)), ADE must publish the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 IDEA Part B State Application and provide an opportunity for public comment.

The State Application sets forth Arizona’s assurances that the State will:

1. Ensure that all eligible children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that includes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs;
2. Ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected;
3. Assist public education agencies in providing for the education of all children with disabilities; and
4. Evaluate and ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities.

Important Note Regarding Funding Information

Arizona has not yet received the FFY 2026 IDEA Part B Allocation Tables from the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the FFY 2025 Interactive Spreadsheet is included with the application materials at this time. Once the FFY 2026 allocation information becomes available, ADE will replace the FFY 2025 spreadsheet with an updated FFY 2026 document.

Notice of Public Comment Period

Any individual or organization may submit written comments. The 30-day public comment period for the FFY 2026 IDEA Part B Application will be open from March 19, 2026, through April 18, 2026. ADE will review and consider all comments submitted during the public comment period and revise the application as appropriate.

Methods for Submitting Public Comment

Written comments may be submitted beginning March 19, 2026, using one of the following methods:

• Electronically via the ADE/Exceptional Student Services (ADE/ESS) Public Comment webpage
• Electronically via email to ADE/ESS
• By mail via the United States Postal Service (USPS) to:
  Arizona Department of Education
  1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin #24
  Phoenix, AZ 85007

The Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services, is excited to announce two fantastic opportunities at Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student, happening August 18–20, 2026, Preconference August 17, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.  

Nominations for Arizona Secondary Transition Services Awards  

Recognize outstanding contributions to secondary transition services across Arizona. Learn more and nominate a youth/young adult, community member, or educator for their exceptional efforts by submitting an online nomination form.    

Nomination Categories:  

• Youth/Young Adult: Actively engaged and successfully navigating the secondary transition planning process.  

• Community Member: Providing exemplary support for students and/or young adults with disabilities to enhance community-based experiences.  

• Educator: PEA or Secure Care certified staff, support staff, related service providers, or administrators offering remarkable secondary transition services.  

Submit your nominations by Friday, May 8, 2026. Award winners will be notified in June.  

Call for Student Artwork  

Showcase student talent at the IDEA Conference! If you know a student artist interested in displaying his or her artwork, please view the Call for Student Artwork flyer linked below for more details. Please complete the 2026 Student Artwork Entry form before Friday, May 8, 2026, to have artwork considered for display.  

Please email the IDEA Conference inbox for questions regarding these opportunities.  

Download our flyers for more information on the Secondary Transition Services Awards and Call for Student Artwork.  

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

FY27 Statement of Assurances, required for all Public Education Agencies, opens April 1, 2026

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Exceptional Student Services (ESS), Arizona’s representative body for special education, is required to annually obtain assurances from Public Education Agencies (PEAs). These assurances confirm that each PEA is meeting all requirements established under state and federal statutes. This obligation is fulfilled through the annual Statement of Assurances (SOA) application.

Completion of the Statement of Assurances is required for all entities defined as PEAs, regardless of whether they receive federal funds. Non-Public Organizations (NPOs) are exempt from this requirement.

All PEAs must submit the FY27 Statement of Assurances (SOA) through the ESS Portal, accessible via ADEConnect.

The application will open on April 1, 2026, and will close on June 10, 2026.

The SOA must be submitted by the PEA’s Superintendent, Charter Holder, or Special Education Director before FY27 IDEA funding applications can be approved in the Grants Management Enterprise system.

Additional requirements:

• The PEA’s Entity Administrator must assign the ESS Special Education: Signer role in ADEConnect to the individual responsible for reviewing, signing, and submitting the SOA.
• PEAs that do not apply for IDEA funds are still required to submit the SOA.

Once the appropriate role has been assigned, please log in to ADEConnect, navigate to the Exceptional Student Services Portal, and select the Statement of Assurances link under Surveys & Assurances.

The survey code will auto-populate for your PEA. On each page, select the “Yes” checkbox to indicate your assurances for the corresponding requirements.

After completing the survey, the SOA may be printed for your records. To verify submission, you may re-access the SOA; a “Thank you for submitting” page will display if your submission is complete.

Please direct any questions to the ESS Data Management inbox. 

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce the release of the revised AZ‑TAS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Graduation of Students with Disabilities in Arizona’s Schools. 

This updated document provides guidance on: 

• Key components of FAPE for transition‑aged students 

• Arizona’s graduation requirements for all students 

• Circumstances that conclude a student’s right to FAPE 

Revisions incorporate the Arizona State Board of Education’s October 2024 updates to IEP and secondary transition requirements, information from the Graduation Joint Guidance Memo (ADE, 12/1/25), technical changes, and clarifications requested by the field. We sincerely appreciate the thoughtful questions and feedback from special education stakeholders, which informed several updates and strengthened this resource. 

To further support schools in navigating graduation requirements, ADE/ESS also offers guidance and training on effective postsecondary transition planning, with additional resources currently in development. For more information, please visit the ADE/ESS Secondary Transition website. 

The revised FAQ is linked above and available on the ADE/ESS AZ‑TAS Documents webpage. 

Please disseminate this information to your teams as appropriate. For questions or additional information, contact the ESS Inbox.