PEA Determinations

Public Education Agency (PEA) Determination Public Review and Comment Period

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requires states to make annual determinations on the performance of each Public Education Agency (PEA). The purpose of the annual Determination is to ensure PEAs are implementing the requirements and purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B, regarding the provision of special education and related services

The Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services (ADE/ESS) is in the process of updating their PEA Determinations. The initial draft is available for review between January 27, 2025, and March 27, 2025. This 60-day review phase will include a 30-day public comment period between February 26, 2025, and March 27, 2025. Following the conclusion of the public comment period, ADE/ESS will evaluate the feedback received and will consider integrating relevant suggestions into the new PEA Determination Model.

Click Here to View the Proposed PEA Determination Components

Timeline

November 2024: Presented proposed model to Special Education Advisory Panel
January 16, 2025: Presented proposed model at the Special Education Professional Check-In Webinar
January 27, 2025–March 27, 2025: Publish proposed PEA components on website for public review and comment.
May 2025: The finalized PEA Determinations outline will be posted on the ESS website.
March 2025: PEAs’ scores will be posted using the current PEA Determinations model (FY 2024 using data from school year 2023–2024)
October 2025: PEAs’ scores will be posted using the current PEA Determinations model. (FY 2025 using data from school year 2024–2025)
October 2026: PEAs’ scores will be posted using the new PEA Determinations model. The new model will use data from school year 2025–2026 for all components except for Graduation and Dropout, which will be from school year 2024–2025.

Public comments between February 26, 2025 and March 27, 2025, can be made using the Special Education Public Comment Form.

PEA Determinations

Under section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA 2004), States are required to make a determination for all public education agencies (PEA) of their performance on identified special education criteria.

Special Education Determination Categories