Introduction
Conferences offer special educators the opportunity to discover the latest research, innovative strategies, and practical tools to enhance their teaching practice. They serve as as a platform to gather and share insights, foster connections, and address the unique challenges faced by students with special needs.
We have selected eight special education conferences in 2024 that we believe you should attend as a special educator. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of emerging trends or refine your approach to teaching, these top special education conferences of the year promise to empower attendees with the resources and inspiration needed to make a profound impact in their classrooms and communities.
1. 2024 IAASE Winter Conference
Organized by: Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE)
Location: Champaign, IL
Dates: February 22-23, 2024
Audience: 700 special education directors, supervisors, coordinators, and administrators
Instructors:
– Jimmy Casas – J Casas & Associates and ConnectEDD Publishing
– Jessica Stollings-Holder – President, ReGenerations
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/bdf5mdfj
2. Texas Transition Conference 2024
Organized by: Texas A&M University
Location: Houston, TX
Dates: February 28-March 1, 2024
Audience: 630 educators, transition specialists, vocational coordinators, service agency representatives, youth with disabilities and their families
Speakers:
– Leah Wood, BS of Ed, MA of Comm, Consultant, Journey2Success
– Amber McConnell, Ph.D. , Program Evaluator, San Diego State University – Interwork Institute
– Dr. Anne Ginnett, Director, lifePATH, LoneStar College-Tomball
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/rvjhkbc8
3. CEC 2024 Virtual Convention
“Inclusive Leadership at the Building Level and School Mental Health”
Organized by: Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Location: Virtual
Dates: April 10-July 10, 2024
Audience: Special education teachers and administrators, policymakers, clinicians, students in special education training programs, and professionals providing related services such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and behavior analysis.
Speakers:
– Cindy Goldrich Ed.M, ADHD-CCSP
– Gennith Johnson MCD, CCC-SLP, CAE
– Susannah Boyle – Associate Professor of Special Education, Millersville University
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/mr38ztj7
4. 2024 National Social and Emotional Learning Conference (NSEL)
“Building Community, Cultivating Change: The Movement for Expanded SEL Capacity”
Organized by: National Social and Emotional Learning Conference (NSEL)
Location: King of Prussia, PA
Dates: May 21-23, 2024
Audience: 250 program administrators and coordinators, classroom teachers in Pre-K-secondary education, SEL providers and coaches, parents and caregivers
Speakers:
– Katya Stepanov – CEO, Inheritance Project
– Dr. Dana Milakovic – Mental Wellness and Trauma Specialist, Pennsylvania Department of Education
– Erin Bruno – Director, Social Decision Making LLC
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/2eje9wfm
5. National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC24)
Organized by: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: June 30-July 3, 2024
Audience: 4,500 charter school and state leaders, board members, educators, funders, and advocates
Speakers: To be announced
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/43ypebp9
6. ASCA 2024
“Fired Up”
Organized by: American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Location: Kansas City, MO
Dates: July 13-16, 2024
Audience: 5,000 school counselors
Speakers:
– Michele Norris – Founder, The Race Card Project
– Alton Fitzgerald White – Actor and Author
– Lea Nepomuceno – Criminal Justice Reform Advocate
– Cameron Samuels – Organizer, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) Coalition
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/yud97n4u
7. TCASE Interactive 2024
“Light the Spark”
Organized by: Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE)
Location: Austin, TX
Dates: July 15-17, 2024
Audience: Special educators based in Texas
Speakers: To be announced
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/mpv966tm
8. TAVAC
“Connecting the Silos in Education Through Transition”
Organized by: TAVAC
Location: Waco, TX
Dates: July 15-18 2024
Audience: 300 ESC’s, TED’s TWC, parents and job coaches
Speakers:
– Dr. Erik Carter, Ph.D., Baylor – Center for Developmental Disabilities
– Steven Aleman, MPAff, J.D. – Disability Rights Texas
– Christian “Spinny” Leal, Spinny Brand Co-Founder,
Cost: Check site for details
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/yuyxrkwh
