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: The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Referral Maze: A School Team’s Roadmap 

Presenters:               Danika Stampfel, M.S., CCC-SLP (NAU IHD AAC Evaluation and Training Program); Rui Hernandez M.A., CCC-SLP (Bilingual SLP and AAC Specialist- Sunnyside Unified School District); and J. Drew Barsness, M.S., CCC-SLP (Arbor Therapy) 

Date:                            Wednesday, March 25, 2026 

Time:                           11:30 AM-12:00 PM 

Description:    Navigating the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) AAC referral process can feel like moving through a maze, but school-based professionals don’t have to figure it out on their own. This JOT session highlights how educators, therapists, and service providers can work together with families to understand the steps, roles, and responsibilities involved. We’ll broaden the focus beyond the classroom to consider the whole “service team,” including the DDD Support Coordinator, and explore how collaborative communication and coordinated documentation can streamline the referral journey. In this 30-minute session, you’ll gain practical strategies to support families as partners and strengthen the team’s collective approach to navigating the DDD/Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) process. 

 Register for AT JOT: The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Referral Maze  

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

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT    

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include:    

• Reminders  

• Trending topics  
  • • Parent Involvement Survey
    • Preschool Outcomes

• 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.  

The National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) and the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE), in partnership with the ADE/ESS, are offering monthly, low-cost professional learning webinars for paraeducators, related service providers (RSPs), teachers, administrators, and other educators.

Join the NRCP on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for exciting topics and presenters. Upcoming live webinars and previously recorded webinars include the following topics:

Upcoming live webinars:

• Feb 7, 2026—Paraeducator Career Growth
• Mar 14, 2026—Empowering Independence: Supports for Low Incidence Disabilities
• Apr 11, 2026—Paraeducator Roles & Responsibilities
• May 9, 2026—Visual Supports for Communication
• Jun 13, 2026—The Trauma-Responsive Paraeducator
• Jul 11, 2026—Teamwork & Collaboration in Schools

Previously recorded webinars:

• Oct 11, 2025—Differentiation in Action
• Nov 8, 2025—Accommodations & Modifications
• Dec 13, 2025—Behavior Management
• Jan 10, 2026— Artificial Intelligence 101

Teacher and paraeducator teams are encouraged to sign up together. The $100 registration fee per person includes 6 remaining live webinars and access to the previous four recorded webinars and extended access to the recordings until August 2026. There is a limited number of seats at this discounted price, so register now to save your spot!

Register for Saturday Mornings with the NRCP!

Please see the Saturday Mornings with the NRCP flyer for additional information about the professional learning series, and email Laura Lema with any questions.

The Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services (ADE/ESS) is thrilled to announce the 2026 IDEA Conference will take place at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort from August 18–20, 2026 with Preconference sessions on August 17. This year's theme, Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student, reflects the critical role of robust coordinated systems in driving meaningful outcomes for students with disabilities. 

This event is designed for special education administrative staff, youths and young adults with disabilities, family members and caregivers, state agency staff, educators, related service providers, and community members who are all dedicated to student success. Participants can expect numerous professional learning opportunities on topics ranging from IDEA legal issues, special education compliance, instructional practices, national trends and hot topics, preschool special education, and secondary transition.  

Call for Papers: 
ADE/ESS is pleased to request this year’s conference proposals that showcase your innovative and research-based work.  Review the Call for Papers Guidelines and submit your session proposal(s) for Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference. The deadline for session proposals is March 4, 2026. 

ESS values this opportunity to learn with each of you and looks forward to the year ahead.  

Visit the IDEA Conference website for more details. Stay informed by signing up for the IDEA Conference email list for updates and registration information. Questions can be emailed to the IDEA Conference inbox.  

Are you concerned about the current rate of suspensions and expulsions at your school or district? Do you feel students are losing valuable class time due to disruptions and other behavior problems? Are teachers struggling to be successful with classroom management? Are administrators spending too much time dealing with discipline issues?  If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you might find the solution in Multi-Tier Behavior Supports.

Multi-Tier Behavior Supports (MTBS) is a three-year training series that will assist district, charter, or school teams with the development of a school-wide approach for positive behavior management practices. This training is based on School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (SW-PBIS) evidence-based elements. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) notes that “the IEP Team shall, in the case of a child whose behavior impedes the child’s learning or that of others, consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies, to address that behavior” (20 U.S.C. §1414(d)(3)(B)(i)). 

Several free informational webinars are being offered to outline additional details about the MTBS model, the three-year training sequence, the readiness requirements, and the process for applying.  Attendance at one of the informational webinars is the first readiness requirement necessary for participation in the training series.

If you are interested in learning more and/or starting the readiness process, review the attached flyer and register to attend one of the following free webinars:

Register for February 12 from 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Register for February 12 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Register for February 25 from 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Register for February 25 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Directions for applying for the training series will be provided during the webinar. Registration is limited to ten teams and only one team from each district. Applications earning the highest scores in the evaluation process will be approved until all seats are filled. Completed applications must be submitted by April 3 at 5:00 p.m.

The special education director is required to attend the readiness webinar for a PEA/district team. The principal is required to attend the readiness webinar for a school team.

Please see the MTBS 2026 flyer for additional information. If you have questions, please contact Celeste Nameth.

Please share this external secondary transition opportunity with students and families.

Planning for life after high school doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

Encircle Families and Diverse Ability Incorporated are committed to working together to support families at every stage of planning as they navigate transition to adulthood. In order to build on this work, through a partnership with the ADE/ESS, we are excited to share the launch of a new Family Transition Navigation Pilot Program that will be administered by Encircle Families and Diverse Ability Incorporated!

Interested?
For families with a transition-aged student with a disability, the Family Transition Navigation Program is here to help. This no-cost, year-long pilot program supports families and youth with planning, resources and guidance for the transition to adulthood.

For the 2026–2027 pilot year, students must meet specific eligibility requirements:
- Be between ages 14–22
- Be enrolled in a public school
- Have a current IEP

These requirements apply only to this pilot year. 
 Take the first step today by completing the Interest Form. 
*If you are unsure whether you qualify, we still encourage you to fill out the interest form so that we can connect with you to share other helpful supports and resources.
 For additional information please email: [email protected]      

In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project invites you to participate in a free professional learning opportunity. 

Title: Building Confidence and Persistence through Self-Efficacy Instruction 

Description: Students who don’t have confidence in their abilities give up easily when they experience obstacles. They struggle to understand the connection between putting forth effort and making progress. Self-efficacy is an individual’s perception of their ability to complete challenging tasks. Students with strong self-efficacy understand that learning new things is a process that includes multiple attempts, analyzing each attempt, and applying feedback to improve.  

Target Audience: Special education directors, special educators, individual service providers, general education professionals, and professional development coordinators. 

Dates: Tuesday, 2/3 12:00–3:00 pm  & Wednesday, 2/18 9:00 am–12:00 pm 

Sign up now for an interactive, virtual, 3-hour training where educators will learn about self-efficacy, the ten student strategies, and the process for embedding self-efficacy instruction into individualized supports and intervention for students (each session capped at 30 participants).  

Participants will receive: 

• FREE Self-Efficacy Curricula (primary, intermediate, and secondary) 

• Training on supporting individual students in self-efficacy instruction through the intervention process 

• A CEU certificate for completing the training issued by ADE for 5 contact hours. 

Register for Building Confidence and Persistence through Self-Efficacy Instruction 

We hope you can join us! 

View our self-efficacy infographic to see the Self-Efficacy definition and student impacts resulting from instruction. 

For any questions, email Pattie Noonan. 

Northern Arizona University’s IHD Evidence for Success Disability Conference showcases effective, evidence-based approaches, high-leverage practices, and research findings that result in improved services, supports, and outcomes for persons with disabilities across the lifespan.

Our 2026 conference will be returning to the Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, AZ on Tuesday & Wednesday, June 23–24, 2026, with preconference workshops on Monday, June 22. All presentations will be delivered in person.

We are seeking timely presentations that focus on innovative, evidence-based approaches to disability-related issues affecting children and adults across the broad areas of ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNITY INCLUSION, EDUCATION, and EMPLOYMENT. We welcome presentations that address (but are not limited to):

Assistive Technology:

• Accessibility and Universal Design
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Assistive Technology Applications in Education, Employment, and Community Living
• AT for Specific Populations and Life Stages
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Community Inclusion

• Behavioral and Mental Health Supports for People with Disabilities
• Disability Advocacy
• Independence and Access in the Community / Independent Living
• Plain Language / Inclusive Language
• Public Policy

Education

• College and Career Competencies
• Early Intervention / Early Childhood
• High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities
• Inclusive Practices in Higher Education
• Secondary Transition

Employment

• Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE)
• Native American and State Vocational Rehabilitation Practices
• Supporting Workers with Disabilities across Employment Settings
• Transition to Employment
• Workplace Accessibility

Proposals are due by Friday, February 20, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their proposal status by March 31, 2026.

Accepted presenters receive discounted registration fees. Commercial exhibitors selected to present must pay full exhibitor or sponsor registration fees.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL FOR A CONFERENCE PRESENTATION

For questions or assistance, contact Adi Schaeffer, IHD Events Manager, at [email protected] or [email protected]; 602-728-9537.

Visit the IHD Conference website.

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 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.

We have some exciting news! Secondary Transition Regional Trainings are back, and due to high demand, we’ve added a Tucson training date in April 2026!

The ADE/ESS Program Support & Monitoring (PSM) unit and the Secondary Transition Team are partnering to deliver in-person professional development focused on current secondary transition requirements and best practices. This training will help you navigate and apply effective strategies to strengthen transition plans.

What you’ll gain:

• A clear understanding of transition planning requirements
• Insights into the impact of the 2024 Arizona State Board of Education rule changes
• Proven strategies for effective planning

This training is designed for school administrators, educators, and staff involved in transition services.

Please select only one session. All sessions cover the same content and will not be recorded.

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

Phoenix Trainings:

• Wednesday, February 11, 2026
• Thursday, February 12, 2026

Times:

• Morning Session: 9:00–11:30 a.m.
• Afternoon Session: 12:30–3:00 p.m.

Register for a training session in Phoenix.

Tucson Training (New):

• Thursday, April 29, 2026, from 10:00 am–12:30 pm

Register for the training session in Tucson.

Space is limited. Registration links are location specific.

For questions, please email the Secondary Transition team.