Special Education Blog

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: Special Education Data Dashboard Webinar

  • Thu, Apr 2 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

The ESS Data Management team is holding a webinar via Zoom to guide PEAs through end-of-year reporting in the SEDD application. The session will cover recent application updates, exit and discipline data requirements, and key deadlines to support accurate and timely reporting. A recording of the webinar will be made available for those unable to attend.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: FY27 SOA Opening Alert

  • Wed, Apr 1 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

The FY27 Statement of Assurances application is open for submission. All public education agencies (PEAs) must submit the IDEA Statement of Assurances (SOA) through the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Portal within ADEConnect. This is required before any FY27 activities in the ESS Portal are allowable. The portal will block any PEA that has not completed the SOA effective July 1, 2026, which is when FY27 begins. 

INTERNAL VIRTUAL PD: Free Assistive Technology JOT

  • Wed, Mar 25 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Assistive Technology Upcoming Events
    • Assistive Technology

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.   

IDEA CONFERENCE INFO: Youth & Family Scholarships Now Open for Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference

  • Wed, Mar 25 2026  •
    • Updates
    • IDEA Conference

In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program, ADE/ESS is excited to be able to offer scholarships for Arizona youth and their families. Scholarships are available so that youth and young adults with disabilities and/or their family member/personal assistant can attend Arizona’s 2026 IDEA Conference: Stronger Systems, Better Outcomes—for Every Student. This year’s conference will be held from August 18–20, 2026, with preconference activities on Monday August 17, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.

IDEA CONFERENCE INFO: Arizona's 2026 IDEA Conference, Call for Student Artwork and Secondary Transition Service Awards Nominations

  • Wed, Mar 11 2026  •
    • Updates
    • IDEA Conference

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.  

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: FY27 Statement of Assurances, required for all Public Education Agencies, opens April 1, 2026

  • Fri, Mar 6 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: FY27 Statement of Assurances, required for all Public Education Agencies, opens April 1, 2026

AZ-TAS INFORMATION: Revised FAQ about Graduation of Students with Disabilities Available

  • Fri, Feb 27 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Program Support and Monitoring

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. 

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  • Fri, Feb 27 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

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.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: New SPED Integrity Troubleshooting Reference Tool Now Available

  • Thu, Feb 26 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

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.

INTERNAL PD INFO: Registration for Teach Camp 7.0 is Now Open!

  • Wed, Feb 25 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Professional Learning and Sustainability

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.