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

The Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services, is excited to announce two fantastic opportunities at Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student, happening August 18–20, 2026, Preconference August 17, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.  

Nominations for Arizona Secondary Transition Services Awards  

Recognize outstanding contributions to secondary transition services across Arizona. Learn more and nominate a youth/young adult, community member, or educator for their exceptional efforts by submitting an online nomination form.    

Nomination Categories:  

• Youth/Young Adult: Actively engaged and successfully navigating the secondary transition planning process.  

• Community Member: Providing exemplary support for students and/or young adults with disabilities to enhance community-based experiences.  

• Educator: PEA or Secure Care certified staff, support staff, related service providers, or administrators offering remarkable secondary transition services.  

Submit your nominations by Friday, May 8, 2026. Award winners will be notified in June.  

Call for Student Artwork  

Showcase student talent at the IDEA Conference! If you know a student artist interested in displaying his or her artwork, please view the Call for Student Artwork flyer linked below for more details. Please complete the 2026 Student Artwork Entry form before Friday, May 8, 2026, to have artwork considered for display.  

Please email the IDEA Conference inbox for questions regarding these opportunities.  

Download our flyers for more information on the Secondary Transition Services Awards and Call for Student Artwork.  

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

FY27 Statement of Assurances, required for all Public Education Agencies, opens April 1, 2026

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Exceptional Student Services (ESS), Arizona’s representative body for special education, is required to annually obtain assurances from Public Education Agencies (PEAs). These assurances confirm that each PEA is meeting all requirements established under state and federal statutes. This obligation is fulfilled through the annual Statement of Assurances (SOA) application.

Completion of the Statement of Assurances is required for all entities defined as PEAs, regardless of whether they receive federal funds. Non-Public Organizations (NPOs) are exempt from this requirement.

All PEAs must submit the FY27 Statement of Assurances (SOA) through the ESS Portal, accessible via ADEConnect.

The application will open on April 1, 2026, and will close on June 10, 2026.

The SOA must be submitted by the PEA’s Superintendent, Charter Holder, or Special Education Director before FY27 IDEA funding applications can be approved in the Grants Management Enterprise system.

Additional requirements:

• The PEA’s Entity Administrator must assign the ESS Special Education: Signer role in ADEConnect to the individual responsible for reviewing, signing, and submitting the SOA.
• PEAs that do not apply for IDEA funds are still required to submit the SOA.

Once the appropriate role has been assigned, please log in to ADEConnect, navigate to the Exceptional Student Services Portal, and select the Statement of Assurances link under Surveys & Assurances.

The survey code will auto-populate for your PEA. On each page, select the “Yes” checkbox to indicate your assurances for the corresponding requirements.

After completing the survey, the SOA may be printed for your records. To verify submission, you may re-access the SOA; a “Thank you for submitting” page will display if your submission is complete.

Please direct any questions to the ESS Data Management inbox. 

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce the release of the revised AZ‑TAS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Graduation of Students with Disabilities in Arizona’s Schools. 

This updated document provides guidance on: 

• Key components of FAPE for transition‑aged students 

• Arizona’s graduation requirements for all students 

• Circumstances that conclude a student’s right to FAPE 

Revisions incorporate the Arizona State Board of Education’s October 2024 updates to IEP and secondary transition requirements, information from the Graduation Joint Guidance Memo (ADE, 12/1/25), technical changes, and clarifications requested by the field. We sincerely appreciate the thoughtful questions and feedback from special education stakeholders, which informed several updates and strengthened this resource. 

To further support schools in navigating graduation requirements, ADE/ESS also offers guidance and training on effective postsecondary transition planning, with additional resources currently in development. For more information, please visit the ADE/ESS Secondary Transition website. 

The revised FAQ is linked above and available on the ADE/ESS AZ‑TAS Documents webpage. 

Please disseminate this information to your teams as appropriate. For questions or additional information, contact the ESS Inbox. 

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

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

Based on the feedback we received from PEAs, the Question-and-Answer session held in November 2025 was a great success, and many of you shared how helpful it was to have the opportunity to ask your most pressing questions. In response, our Data Management team has decided to hold these sessions twice a year—each March and October.

These Q&A sessions provide PEA special education staff with dedicated time to ask general and troubleshooting questions related to data reporting. Please remember that no personally identifiable information (PII) should be shared during the session.

Registration is required, please see the Zoom registration link.

For your convenience, attached is a condensed version of the PowerPoint presentation for reference.

The ESS Data Management team is pleased to announce the release of a new reference tool designed to support your work in resolving SPED-related integrity errors generated from student data submitted to AzEDS.

We have created a document titled “Troubleshooting SPED-Related Integrity Rules,” which provides step-by-step guidance to help you identify, understand, and resolve common SPED integrity rule failures more efficiently. This resource is now available on our AzEDS SPED Reporting webpage, listed under the Tools section with the link title “SPED-Related Integrity Rules.”

This updated guidance replaces all previous integrity troubleshooting materials, including earlier one‑sheet tools that were previously used for clearing SPED-related integrity failures.

We encourage all users who work with AzEDS and SPED data submissions and integrity processing to review this tool and incorporate it into their troubleshooting workflow.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ESS Data Management inbox.

Thank you,
ESS Data Management

The ADE/ESS is thrilled to welcome you back to the trail! After six amazing seasons guiding nearly 600 new special education teachers, we’re ready for another unforgettable adventure. 

Teach Camp is a three-day, camp-themed professional learning experience packed with practical resources, strategies, and a strong campfire community of support so that new special education teachers not only survive but thrive as they begin their teaching journey. Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in one of Arizona’s public schools in the fall of 2026.  

Navigating the Journey: Camp Essentials 

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held July 7–9, 2026, at Rio Salado College Conference Center, 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 
• The cost per teacher is $195
• Each camper will receive: 
  • The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers (3rd edition) 
  • One-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children 
  • Additional valuable resources to pack in their teaching backpack 

Trailblazing Together: What Teach Camp Alumni Are Saying! 

• “The resources and guidance provided have helped boost my confidence as I begin my journey as a special education teacher.” 
• “I’m hiking away with a full backpack of ideas and a happy teacher heart! Huge thanks to everyone who planned, presented, and made camp such an unforgettable experience. I’d sign up again in a heartbeat—just point me to the trailhead!” 
• “I loved the warm, welcoming environment, the rockstar presenters (aka our fearless trail guides), and meeting so many fellow campers who were eager to share their survival skills and teaching hacks. Teach Camp was s’more than I expected!” 

Ready for Your Teachers to Join the Adventure? 

Registration for Teach Camp is open on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday, June 19, 2026. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the district or charter organization, not the special education teacher. Please note that there is a limit of ten registrations for each district or charter, after which participants will be placed on a waiting list. Travel reimbursement is available for eligible districts and charter organizations for up to five travelers per organization with additional travelers as funding allows. Reimbursement details are provided in the registration form. Please be aware that we may reduce the group size per district or charter organization to accommodate the attendance of more districts/charters and budget constraints for travel reimbursement. On-site registration is not available.  

Spots are limited—register your teachers for Teach Camp today! 

Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp. 

We are excited to invite you to Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student, from August 18–20, 2026 with Preconference sessions on August 17, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.

ADE/ESS seeks innovative, research-based proposals highlighting your outstanding contributions to special education. This year’s conference will offer various professional learning opportunities, covering IDEA legal issues and updates, instructional practices, national trends and hot topics, special education compliance, preschool special education, and secondary transition.

Why Submit?

• Showcase Your Expertise: Share your knowledge and insights with a wide audience of special education professionals.
• Network with Peers: Connect with fellow educators, researchers, and practitioners.
• Contribute to the field: Help advance special education practices by sharing your innovative approaches and research findings.

Submit your proposals by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Review the Call for Papers Guidelines and submit your session proposal(s) for Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference.

Thank you for your dedication to advancing special education in Arizona. We look forward to your contributions. Stay informed by visiting the IDEA Conference website and signing up for the conference listserv for updates and registration information. Questions can be emailed to the IDEA Conference inbox.

From Evaluation to Service Delivery: Research-Informed Practices That Empower SLPs to Navigate Tensions and Strengthen Collaboration with Marie Ireland 

Friday, March 6, 2026  

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM  

Rio Vista Recreation Center  

8866 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381   

There is no fee to attend. Thanks to Peoria Unified School District for providing the venue for this event.  

Comprehensive speech-language assessment is essential for identifying students with disabilities under IDEA and requires the use of multiple tools and strategies. Post-pandemic skill gaps and increased referrals have intensified challenges for SLPs, contributing to misidentification and overidentification.  

This session examines nine research-identified tensions affecting school-based evaluation and eligibility practices and offers solutions to improve collaboration, caseload management, and decision-making. Participants will learn systematic, culturally responsive methods for integrating standardized and informal data—including dynamic assessment—to identify strengths, needs, and learning potential. Emphasis is placed on linking evaluation results to instruction, service delivery, and educationally relevant outcomes.  

ASHA CEs are not provided; however, participants will receive a certificate of completion for six Professional Development Hours (PDH), which count toward CCC maintenance. You can find more information from ASHA about PDHs on the ASHA certification FAQs webpage.  

About the Presenter: 

Marie Ireland is an adjunct research associate at Charles Sturt University in Australia, a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language (BCS-CL) and served as the Virginia Department of Education’s specialist for evaluation and eligibility, speech language pathology, and related services for 16 years. She has served as ASHA’s Vice President of SLP Practice (2018–2020) and on the executive board of the State Education Agencies Communication Disabilities Council. Her areas of interest include child language, evidence-based assessment, and dynamic assessment. She has written numerous books and research articles. She received a national editor’s award in 2013 and an international award in 2021 for articles on evidence-based practice in schools. Her research focuses on evaluation and eligibility decision making in the US. She presents regularly at state, national and international conferences and venues.  

Apply now to attend this session. Seats are limited. Preference will be given to SLPs and SLTs who are district or charter school employees. Staffing agency employees contracted to a district or charter will be placed on a waiting list. This session is not intended for SLPAs. 

If you have questions about this event, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox. 

The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) will hold its annual convention on March 27–28 in Mesa. Hundreds of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Speech-Language Technicians (SLTs), Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs), and students enrolled in SLP graduate programs will be attending this event. 

The ADE/ESS sponsors the public school strand at the convention to support high-quality, relevant, professional learning for school-based speech personnel. This year’s sponsored topics include Secondary Transition Planning, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Special Education Compliance, and Artificial Intelligence Tips and Tricks.

ADE/ESS also plans to have a recruiting booth in the exhibit hall. We will highlight all SLP/SLT/SLPA vacancies posted on the Arizona Education Employment Board (AEBB). The AEEB is a free, online special education job board provided by ESS. To be included in this recruitment effort, please post your speech vacancies (current or anticipated for 2026-27 school year) by March 16.

Prior to posting your speech position(s), you may wish to review our  “Develop Effective Job Postings” guidance document.

For additional information, please  email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.