Special Education Blog

EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITY: Family Transition Navigation Pilot Launching Soon!

  • Tue, Jan 27 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Transition News

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.

EXTERNAL PD OPPORTUNITY: Building Confidence and Persistence through Self-Efficacy Instruction

  • Tue, Jan 27 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Professional Learning and Sustainability

In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project invites you to participate in a free professional learning opportunity. 

EXTERNAL PD INFO: Call for Presentations—2026 IHD Evidence for Success Disability Conference!

  • Thu, Jan 22 2026  •
    • Updates

Northern Arizona University’s IHD Evidence for Success Disability Conference showcases effective, evidence-based approaches, high-leverage practices, and research findings that result in improved services, supports, and outcomes for persons with disabilities across the lifespan.

SPED DATA UPDATE: Parent Involvement Survey Open through May 31

  • Thu, Jan 22 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Parent Involvement Survey

All school districts, charter schools, secure care facilities, and the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) are required to annually administer the State Performance Plan Indicator 8 Parent Involvement Survey to parents of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The survey opened on January 19, 2026, via ADEConnect Data Surveys and will close on May 31, 2026.

INTERNAL PD OPPORTUNITIES: Don’t Miss Out! In-Person PSM/Secondary Transition Training

  • Wed, Jan 21 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Transition Training
    • Transition News

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!

INTERNAL PD INFO: Virtual Book Study with the Authors of The Way To Inclusion

  • Wed, Jan 21 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Training
    • Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices

Are You Ready to Lead Inclusion? Let’s Make It Happen!

INTERNAL VIRTUAL PD: Free Assistive Technology JOTs

  • Tue, Jan 13 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Training
    • 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 2025-26 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.  

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

  • Mon, Jan 5 2026  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT: ESS October 1 Data Collection—Phase III: Non-Reconciliation Webinar

  • Mon, Dec 22 2025  •
    • Updates
    • Data Management

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team is happy to announce an upcoming October 1 Data Collection—Phase III: Non-Reconciliation training. Phase III is only for the PEAs that could not match the number of SPED students submitted in Phase I with the number of SPED students in AzEDS during Phase II.

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION INFO: Tuition Reimbursement Opportunity for Special Education Certification

  • Sun, Dec 21 2025  •
    • Updates
    • Professional Learning and Sustainability

The ADE/ESS Professional Learning and Sustainability team is pleased to offer an exciting “grow-your-own” opportunity for general educators who are ready to make a difference in special education.