The FY 2026 K-3 Reading Budget and FY 2025 K-3 Reading AFR zip files have been posted to the LEA Budget Resources page of the School Finance website.
 

The completed files must be uploaded via the Budget System by October 1, 2025.
 

If you have any questions, please email School Finance at [email protected].
 

Thank you!

Registration is closing soon for the 2025 IDEA Director’s Preconference—Leadership in Action: Expanding Access, Cultivating Opportunity. This is your opportunity to collaborate, learn, and lead alongside peers who are shaping the future of special education across the state. The Director’s Preconference is an exclusive, invite-only event designed for Arizona’s special education leaders.

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Location: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa  5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Price: $100 (General conference registration not included)

What to Expect:

• Engaging Panels & Campfire Talks on FAPE, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), staffing shortages, supporting students with complex needs, and more
• Audrey Levorse, Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), who will offer insights on federal compliance and its impact on state and local teams
• An Interactive Networking Reception to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships
• Opportunities for reflection and real-world problem-solving

Secure your spot now! Apply for Arizona’s 2025 IDEA Director’s Preconference by July 31.

Additional information, including eligibility criteria and the schedule, is available in the application. Please email the IDEA Conference inbox if you have any questions.

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) Team is excited to announce a year-long professional learning opportunity focused on Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM). The Assistive Technology Community of Practice (ATCoP) will convene monthly throughout the 2025–2026 school year, offering a collaborative space for joint activities, discussions, problem-solving, information sharing, and relationship building. 

Each session will center around a key topic related to AT or AEM, facilitated by an ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Specialist. Meetings will include dedicated time for member questions and open discussion to foster deeper engagement and shared learning. 

Eligibility Requirements: Membership is open to professionals employed by a public education agency (PEA) in Arizona who directly serve students with disabilities. This includes AT specialists, special education teachers, related service providers, and others with responsibilities related to AT and/or AEM. 

To apply, please complete the ATCoP Membership Application. Once submitted, applicants will receive additional details regarding meeting dates and times. Most sessions will be held virtually to maximize accessibility.  Members can join at any time during the 2025-2026 school year.  

This initiative is proudly supported by the 2025–2026 Joy Zabala Fellowship and is a collaborative effort between Emily Gaylord, PT, DPT, and Mike Marotta, ATP. 

We look forward to your participation in the Assistive Technology Community of Practice! For questions or concerns, please contact ADE/ESS Assistive Technology at [email protected]. 

School safety is not negotiable

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne has committed to cover any gaps in funding for armed campus officers whose salaries are paid through federal funds currently under review by the U.S. Department of Education.

Horne said, “School safety is not negotiable. Making sure schools have armed officers on campus to protect students, educators and staff is one of my highest priorities. Since taking office, the number of armed officers on campuses in Arizona has increased from 190 to 572. We must ensure that if an armed maniac attacks a campus, there is a trained law enforcement officer on site to respond. A small number of officer positions are funded by federal dollars that are paused for review by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, I have directed the state’s school safety office to provide the money needed to cover any gaps in that funding. There is enough state money to make sure all these positions are funded and no campus that already has an officer on site will lose that position.”

Money available for after-school programs

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne issued the following statement following the announcement that federal funds for after school programs that were previously under review will be released to the states.

Horne stated, “The after school grants are valuable because they offer students a chance to get additional help with reading, math, completing homework assignments and other tasks that help them academically. This is welcome news for these programs that would have been affected by the loss of federal dollars. Once we have formal notification from the federal government and allocations to schools are calculated, we will work very hard to pass these funds through to the recipients.”

He added, “When this review was announced, I urged schools to be calm while the federal government studied these funds to ensure they are being used appropriately. I anticipate other funds still being reviewed will be released in the near future.”

In the current fiscal year, Arizona receives a total of approximately $24 million in after-school funds through the 21st Century grant program.

# # #

Newsrooms:  Here is a recent video where Supt. Horne explains his position on the federal funding review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st6bKF6zDxA&t=1s

Registration is open for Arizona’s 2025 IDEA Conference: Access Cultivates Opportunity, taking place August 21–22 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Phoenix.

• Fee: $400 per person
• Deadline to request a seat and submit payment: July 25, 2025

Registration Steps:

1. Request a Seat: Submit your seat request by July 25, 2025.
2. Submit Payment: Once your seat request is approved, you will receive payment instructions to complete your registration through the Arizona Professional Learning & Development (APLD) application.

Payments without an approved seat request will be canceled.

Join fellow educators, leaders, community members, youths, and their families for two energizing days focused on innovation, collaboration, and opportunity in special education. This year’s conference features inspiring keynote speakers:

• Jessica Cox – Motivational speaker and Guinness World Record holder
• Shawn Harper – Former NFL player turned leadership expert
•  Brandon K. Wright – Renowned education attorney
• Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo – Early childhood inclusive education leader

Learn more about our keynote speakers and view their bios. Stay tuned to the IDEA Conference National Speaker Page for more information about our Premier Speakers.

Hotel Reminder: The last day to book your room at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge is July 30, 2025. Reserve your stay at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. Detailed instructions and information can be found by visiting the IDEA Conference Registration Page.

Please email the IDEA Conference inbox if you have any questions.

Join us for two unforgettable days of learning and inspiration!

The manual on Transportation and Vehicle Inventory has been updated and is now available on the School Finance webpage under School Finance Guidelines & Manuals. Transportation route and vehicle inventory data are used to calculate the Transportation Support Level (TSL) for districts.

In addition to the School Finance Manual, we have updated the “Transportation and Vehicle Inventory Application Manual”, which is a user guide on how to submit data in the Transportation and Vehicle Inventory application in ADEConnect. 

This chapter is posted under Instruction Manuals in the accordion titled: Transportation Manual.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

New Guidance for SPED Data Reporting

The following guidance documents are now available on the ESS Data Management website, under the AzEDS SPED Reporting section:

Ensuring Compliance in Key Scenarios

This guidance document outlines key scenarios relevant to reevaluations, developmentally delay (DD), and preschool severe delay (PSD) disability reporting, kindergarten-age children who remain in preschool, and incoming students from another state.

Online Environments

Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) entities have reporting requirements specific to the online environment. This guidance document outlines factors for data reporting, SPED LRE codes, LRE percentage calculations, and voucher reporting for AOIs determined to be the last home school district for students.

Ungraded Elementary Students

The criterion for ungraded elementary students is detailed in this guidance document to assist PEAs in determining eligibility for this designation.

Please feel free to email the Data Management inbox with any questions.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT

Beginning of the Year ESS Data Management Training

The Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Data Management team is pleased to announce Beginning of the Year ESS Data Management training for the 2025–2026 reporting year. This training will be offered virtually and recorded for those who cannot attend.

During this training, our team will provide updates on the annual IDEA 618 requirements, review reporting to AzEDS, give an overview of ESS data applications and surveys, and share where to find resources available to you.

Please register using this link:

Virtual Training via Teams: Thursday, August 7, 2025, 9:00–12:00 p.m.

Please email ESS Data Management with any questions. 

We look forward to seeing you!