GRADUATION INFO: Arizona State Board of Education Rule Change

In line with the end of the 24-25 school year, ADE/ESS would like to offer a reminder of the Arizona State Board of Education’s (SBE) rule changes related to secondary transition planning and graduation:                                                                                      

• The student’s estimated graduation date must be included in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and aligned with their transition plan (A.A.C. R7-2-401(G)(4)(A)(c)).
• Schools are required to provide written notification to parents of a student’s anticipated graduation date at least one year before the expected high school graduation date (A.A.C. R7-2-401(G)(4)(A)(c)(i)).

If you have students who are expected to graduate in May 2026, it is time to provide written notification to parents.

The ADE/ESS Secondary Transition team is introducing “Getting Ahead to Go Beyond,” Arizona’s initiative to promote effective best practices to increase graduation rates and influence postsecondary success. Please visit the Secondary Transition Services Rule Change webpage for more information, guidance, and resources.

Thank you for your attention to these critical updates.