DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT 

Revised Preschool Outcomes Reporting Guidance

The Preschool Outcomes Reporting Guidance has been revised to provide clarity on what data needs to be submitted as well as when the data needs to be submitted, for preschool students who are receiving special education services. The following integrity errors have been updated:

• -40087
  • Updated Error Message: Preschool students in special education must be reported with three Preschool Outcome Assessments upon entry. Please refer to the ESS Preschool Outcomes Reporting Guidance document.
• -40088
  • Updated Error Message: Preschool students in special education must be reported with three Preschool Outcome Assessments upon exit. Please refer to the ESS Preschool Outcomes Reporting Guidance document.
  • Other Updates: This Integrity error will no longer begin failing on May 1st with the other end-of-year errors. Starting Fiscal Year (FY) 26, this integrity error will fail integrity 20 days after the end date of the preschool program until a preschool exit core is reported.

The revised Preschool Outcomes Reporting Guidance has been published on our ESS AzEDS SPED Reporting web page.                                                          

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

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT   

FY 2026 October 1 Data Collection Application will open October 2, 2025

Phase I of the October 1 Data Collection (ODC) application will open in 2 weeks. This phase includes the submission of your Public Education Agency (PEA), Special Education (SPED) student count and personnel Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) data. 

The ODC verification count is a crucial process consequential for federal reporting, determining federal allocations, and providing information for the state to make educational determinations over time.

All PEAs are required to verify the aggregate count of students receiving SPED services over October 1, including zero counts. This is an internal count using your student information systems and student rosters; AzEDS reports should not be used to gather Phase I Verification Count.

This data is due Wednesday, November 5, 2025. More information and training is available on the ESS October 1 Data Collection website.

Please refer to the Important Dates Website on the ODC timeline for a complete outline of deadline requirements for this data collection.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT 

FY 2026 October 1 Data Collection Phase I Training

Annually, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is required to report special education data to the federal government. The October 1 Data Collection (ODC) is part of that process and is required by all Public Education Agencies (PEAs). ODC has three phases:  

1. Child Count Verification and Personnel  
2. Child Count Reconciliation 
3. Child Count Non-Reconciliation  

During Phase I, PEAs must provide ADE with the number of students participating in their special education program on October 1, 2025. PEAs will also report Personnel data and Parentally Placed students (if applicable). 

ESS Data Management invites you to attend our Phase I training session.

Virtual Training:                                                                  

Date:               Thursday, October 9, 2025            

Time:               10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Registration:     Click here to register 

Please email ESS Data Management with any questions. 

We look forward to assisting you in meeting your data reporting requirements. 

We invite all educators to our upcoming free virtual professional learning series on Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

 This series is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of UDL principles and how they can be applied to create more inclusive, accessible learning environments for all students.

 These virtual sessions will focus on providing practical strategies that can be implemented across diverse classroom settings, supporting the success of all learners. We encourage your schools to take advantage of these no-cost virtual learning sessions to deepen knowledge and understanding and enhance instructional practices to ensure every student succeeds.

 The registration links are in the attached PDF flyer, or you can use the links below.
You may find the flyer here.

The Beginner’s Guide to UDL: Simple Strategies, Powerful Impact (NEW!)

Choose one:
September 11, 4:00–5:30 p.m.
October 30, 4:00–5:30 p.m.

Leading for Inclusion: UDL Essentials for School Administrators
September 24, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

AT and UDL: A Conversation About Technology, Tools, and Teaching
September 29, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

UDL & EdTech: Smarter Tools for Inclusive Classrooms (NEW!)
Choose one:
October 1, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
November 13, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices.  

We are pleased to announce the release of the free Self-Regulation Curriculum (K–12) for Arizona educators!

ADE/ESS has partnered with Drs. Gaumer Erickson and Noonan to provide free access to a curriculum to build students’ self-regulation skills in Grades K–12.

1. Download the curriculum by completing a short form. You’ll be redirected to downloadable PDFs.
2. Sign up to attend a 45-minute introductory webinar, which will provide an overview of the free curriculum and resources.

The College & Career Competency Framework supports educators and families in developing resilient learners who collaborate to expand skills, express their wants and needs respectfully, and apply strategies to self-regulate and persevere.

View our self-regulation infographic, which includes the definition of self-regulation and student impacts resulting from instruction.

Do you have questions or want to learn more about professional learning for your school/district? If so, email Dr. Pattie Noonan.

In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project is offering free professional learning opportunities that will help you build self-regulation, confidence, persistence, and resilience in your students. The following events are available to any K–12 district/charter educator. Click the links to learn more about each event and to register.

For any questions, email Pattie Noonan.

ESS/PSM is excited to announce that in-person regional training opportunities will be available this school year. These trainings are free for participants and will cover two key topics: completing a mock student file review and accessing resources for crafting a compliant Prior Written Notice.

Dates, times, and locations are listed below. To register, please email Veronica Reza directly. Additional training dates may be added based on field interest and internal capacity.

If you have any further questions, please contact your PEA-assigned PSM specialist.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT    

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include:    

• Reminders  

• Trending topics  

• 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.  

This message has been sent to inform you that the Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) application is now open for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. SEDD is a one-stop shop for public education agencies (PEAs) to securely review their SPED data collected over the fiscal reporting year and certify said SPED data at year-end. Effective this year, PEAs can now access, and are expected to review, their SEDD data year-round.

Navigating to the SEDD application

1. Navigate to ADEConnect
2. Click "View Applications"
3. Locate the parent/district level entity for your organization.
4. Click the "Exceptional Student Services Portal" link
5. Locate the "Data Collection and Reporting" section
6. Click the "Special Education Data Dashboard" link
   1. If the link is grayed out, you do not have access to the SEDD application.

Accessing the SEDD Application

Access to the SEDD application is granted by a PEA’s local ADEConnect Entity Administrator. Only one role, assigned at the parent/district entity level, should be assigned per user.

• ESS SEDD: LEA User
  • Allows a user to access the SEDD application. The user can review all current and prior data housed inside the application.
• ESS SEDD: LEA Signer
  • Same access as above.
  • Allows a user to certify SEDD data during the certification window.
  • This role should only be assigned to Special Education Directors, Superintendents, Business Managers, CEOs, Charter Holders, or equivalent titles.

Technical Assistance

An updated training and user guide are coming soon.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

ESS Data Management
Exceptional Student Services
Arizona Department of Education
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 602-542-3962
Data Management Webpage

The ADE/ESS Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices Unit is pleased to offer a variety of resources and professional learning opportunities on Autism. These free sessions are offered virtually during the 2025–2026 school year and are designed for general and special education teachers.

Session 1: Positive Behavior Supports
Be introduced to the foundations of Positive Behavior Support (PBS) in inclusive classrooms. Participants will explore practical tools such as token boards, First-Then visuals, choice boards, and power cards/social stories. Emphasis is placed on the role of communication in behavior support. Through interactive activities and real-time feedback, attendees will leave with ready-to-use strategies.

September 25, 2025, 3:30-4:30 pm

Session 2: Routines and Schedules
Learn how structured routines and predictable schedules can reduce disruptions and support positive behavior. Explore visual tools like schedules, timers, and task strips, and walk away with strategies you can use immediately to improve transitions and unstructured time in the inclusive classroom setting.

November 20, 2025, 3:30-4:30 pm

Session 3: Structured Work Systems
Discover how structured work systems promote independence and support diverse learners. Learn to set up clear, organized workspaces using visual schedules, task cards, and color coding. Walk away with practical tools to help students start tasks, transition smoothly, and self-regulate in inclusive settings.

January 29, 2026, 3:30-4:30 pm

Session 4: Inclusion Supports
Explore the principles of inclusive education and how collaboration with families and staff enhances student success. Learn to use STAR resources and data to support individualized learning, foster belonging, and implement inclusive practices with confidence.

April 16, 2026, 3:30-4:30 pm

We are delighted to offer these opportunities to collaborate with your teams in support of student success.

Please contact the Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices inbox for questions or assistance.