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]      

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.

The ADE/ESS Secondary Transition Team is excited to continue our 2025-2026 Transition Tuesday webinar series! This engaging webinar series is designed to empower students, educators, and families by connecting them with community resources and experts who support the secondary transition planning process. 

We’ve curated an enriching lineup of guest speakers for the 2025–2026 series, all focused on enhancing postsecondary success for youth and young adults with disabilities. 

Mark your calendars! 
December 2, 2025, at 2:30 PM 

Title: Putting the Transition Plan Course of Study into Action 

Description: Join us for an engaging session that demystifies the process of developing a meaningful course of study. See how the transition course of study unfolds in real-world student scenarios that integrate student schedules, transition goals, and activities. Through examples and discussion, participants will explore how to individualize coursework pathways throughout high school that support each student’s future goals. 

Presenter: Heidi Sinkovic – Director of Student Services, Tempe Union High School District 

Presenter Bio: Heidi Sinkovic is the Director of Student Services for the Tempe Union High School District and has over 20 years of experience in education, including 14 years as a Special Education Director. She serves as co-chair of the Arizona Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Panel and has expertise in special education, school improvement, and federal grant management. 

Don’t miss out! 
Join us to gain valuable insights, build connections, and strengthen your transition planning efforts. 

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

Please email the ADE/ESS Secondary Transition team with any questions. We look forward to your participation! 

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]. 

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.

Are you interested in learning more about the recent Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) rule change that affects secondary transition services?  

ADE/ESS has launched a new webpage that provides essential information and resources about this rule change. The webpage can be accessed through the following link to access background information, the next steps for public education agencies (PEAs), and the November 2024 Special Education Professionals Check-In presentation. 

We also invite you to register for and attend the in-person training hosted by the ADE/ESS Program Support & Monitoring unit and the Secondary Transition Teams. This training will cover the new Arizona State Board of Education Rule Change for Secondary Transition Services. 

Download the training flyer to share this opportunity.  

On October 21, 2024, the Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) approved a board rule change that impacts Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements, specifically secondary transition services. See this memo for more information about the secondary transition services rule change. In response, the ADE/ESS Program Support & Monitoring (PSM) unit and the Secondary Transition team are collaborating to provide an in-person professional development opportunity to gain clarity on the rule change and how to apply effective practices for stronger transition plans.  

Attendees will receive an overview of secondary transition planning requirements, implications for the 2024 Arizona State Board of Education rule changes, and effective practices. These trainings are geared towards school administrators, teachers, and other staff integral to transition planning and service delivery.

Register to reserve your spot now in Phoenix or Tucson. See the attached flyer for more information.

 If you have questions about this training, please email Veronica Reza.  

As the new school year approaches, we encourage you to ask yourself if Secondary Transition training would be helpful for you or your staff. Whether it's a quick refresher or an in-depth professional development opportunity, the ADE/ESS team has various training options available to help meet the unique best practice needs of your school or region.

We look forward to working together this year to help to improve Secondary Transition outcomes for students across Arizona. Please email the Secondary Transition team with any questions.

Recently, ADE/ESS has received many inquiries regarding special education Early Childhood Transition for children referred from IDEA Part C, Arizona’s Early Intervention Program (AzEIP). The attached Hot Topic is intended to provide guidance to address these responsibilities.

For additional compliance-related questions, please contact the PEA’s assigned Program Support and Monitoring (PSM) specialist. If there are questions related to implementing effective preschool special education programs, please contact the PEA’s assigned Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) specialist.

Special Education Stakeholders,

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s Arizona Secondary Transition Services Awards!

On behalf of the Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services, and other partnering agencies, you are invited to submit your nominations for this year's Secondary Transition Services Awards, which will be presented at Arizona's 2023 IDEA Conference.

Your nomination is important to recognize the secondary transition contributions and successes happening across Arizona. 

 Nomination categories:

1.  Youth/Young Adult: A youth or recently graduated young adult who has benefited from successful secondary transition services.
2.  Community Member: An individual (employee, manager, owner of a community business, etc.) who provides exemplary support for students and/or young adults with disabilities to enhance community-based experiences and opportunities.
3.  Educator: A Public Education Agency or Secure Care school certified staff, classified staff, support staff member, related service provider, or administrator who provides remarkable secondary transition services.

For each nomination, you must provide basic demographic information about the candidate’s background, strengths, and his or her outstanding participation in the secondary transition process.

We encourage you to nominate multiple individuals across all categories. Please do not nominate programs or groups for any of the award categories, as we wish to recognize people for their individual efforts.

All nominations submitted on or before Wednesday, May 31, 2023, will be considered. Award winners will be selected and notified in June.

If you have any questions, please email the IDEA Conference inbox.

Please download our Secondary Transition Services Awards Flyer.