Registration Now Open: Interpreting, Mentoring, Education & Training (IMET) Online Courses
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.

We are excited to share that the newest course is ASL Depiction: An Introductory Guide. This is the first course in the catalog developed by one of our Arizona-based coaches and focuses on key features of ASL. A shorter, alternative version of the course is also available, allowing participants to earn credit for different units.
IMET Self-paced Online Course Catalog

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

Secondary Transition regional trainings are back! The ADE/ESS Program Support & Monitoring (PSM) unit and the Secondary Transition Team are partnering to offer in-person training on current secondary transition-related requirements and best practices. This professional development session will help you understand compliance and apply effective strategies to strengthen transition plans. 

Participants will gain insights into transition planning requirements, the impact of the 2024 Arizona State Board of Education rule change, and proven strategies for effective planning. This training is designed for school administrators, educators, and staff involved in transition services. 

Choose one session that fits your schedule. All sessions cover the same content and will not be recorded. 

Title: Getting Ahead to Go Beyond: Secondary Transition Changes and Considerations 

Dates: 

• Thursday, December 11, 2025 

• Wednesday, February 11, 2025 

• Thursday, February 12, 2025 

Times: 

• Morning Session: 9:00–11:30 a.m. 

• Afternoon Session: 12:30–3:00 p.m. 

Location: ADE South Campus 

Address: 1535 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007 

Space is limited—secure your spot today! 

For questions, please contact Secondary Transition at [email protected]. 

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT   

FY 2026 October 1 Data Collection Application is now OPEN

The October 1 Data Collection (ODC) application is now open, and Phase I is underway. This phase includes the submission of your Public Education Agency (PEA) Special Education student count and personnel Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) data. 

The ODC child 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 Special Education 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 Web Page on the ODC timeline for a complete outline of deadline requirements for this data collection.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is seeking input from educators, therapists, and school staff across the state to help shape future professional learning opportunities in assistive technology. 

We kindly ask that you share the following survey with teachers, therapists, and other relevant staff in your district. The survey is short (approximately 5-7 minutes), anonymous, and designed to ensure that upcoming training and resources are relevant, practical, and impactful. 

2025 Assistive Technology Needs Survey 

Please complete the survey only once. Your responses are confidential and will be used solely to inform statewide professional development efforts. The survey will close on October 31, 2025. 

Thank you for your support in helping us better serve Arizona’s educators and students through meaningful professional learning. 

 ADE/ESS AT Team

[email protected]

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT    

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, October 15, 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.  

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 fall 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: "Leveling the Equation: Free Math Tools for Inclusive Access" Featuring ModMath and Arithmetype

Presenter: Breeta Garland, M.S., CCC-SLP - Gilbert Public Schools, Assistive Technology Coach

Date:             Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Time:             11:30 AM-12:00 PM

Description: Discover two powerful and completely free assistive technology tools that support students with math-related learning needs. Breeta Garland, M.S., CCC-SLP will provide an overview of ModMath, a digital graph paper with keypad to solve math problems for students with dysgraphia, and Arithmetype, a math-friendly typing resource for those who struggle with written output. Learn how these tools remove barriers and empower students in her district to demonstrate their true math abilities. Perfect for educators, related service providers, and support staff looking for quick wins in inclusive math instruction.

Please note: This Zoom session will not be recorded. Live attendance is encouraged to benefit fully from the presentation and resources.

If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email [email protected].

Revised 1.23.2026 

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.