PUBLIC NOTICE INFO: Notice of Public Comment Period for FFY 2026 IDEA Part B State Application

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