Call for Proposals

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) is inviting proposals for breakout sessions for the 2025 NASDSE Annual Conference, with the theme “Building Our Community.” This year, we are focusing on the importance of information sharing to strengthen collaboration and unity across the education community. We encourage you to contribute your insights, strategies, and best practices to help us provide sessions that offer practical, actionable knowledge to support those working to serve students with disabilities.

The conference audience will include leaders and staff from State Education Agencies (SEAs), as well as State ECSE Coordinators and IDEA Data Managers. By sharing your experiences and expertise, you will help foster a sense of community and collective growth among all attendees.

Proposals will be accepted until May 9, 2025. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out in June 2025. We look forward to seeing your proposal and working together to build a more united, informed, and effective special education community.

Submission Information

  1. Download the Submission Preparation guide here. This is a tool to help you prepare your submission.

  2. After you have collected the necessary information, submit your content by the deadline of May 9 here.

  3. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out in June 2025.

Submission Topics

Strand 1: SEA Leadership. This strand will focus on the leadership strategies, supervision systems, and collaborative efforts that support effective State Education Agencies (SEAs).

Topics of Interest:

  • General Supervision, Including Integration of Preschool Special Education

  • Differentiated Monitoring Systems (DMS) Experiences

  • Systems Planning and Program Sustainability

  • Collaboration Strategies Across SEAs and State Agencies

  • Instructional Leadership Strategies

  • Recruitment and Retention Strategies

  • Parent and Family Engagement Initiatives

Strand 2: Secondary Transition. This strand will focus on supporting secondary education transitions for students with disabilities, including graduation, dropout prevention, and post-school engagement.

Topics of Interest:

  • Graduation and Dropout Prevention Strategies

  • Secondary Transition Planning and Post-School Engagement Preparation

Strand 3: Meaningful Access, Participation, and Educational Opportunities. This strand will explore strategies, supports, and practices that ensure meaningful access, participation, and educational opportunities for all students.

Topics of Interest:

  • Inclusionary Supports and Practices

  • SEA Strategies Supporting Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

  • Implementing General Supervision with Fewer Resources

Strand 4: Behavior/Mental Health. This strand will focus on addressing behavioral challenges and mental health support for both students and educators.

Topics of Interest:

  • Behavior and Mental Health Support for Students

  • Mental Health Support for Educators

Strand 5: Specially Designed Instruction. This strand will focus on evidence-based and high-leverage instructional practices and emerging support services.

Topics of Interest:

  • SEA Support for Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Instructional Practices

  • Teletherapy for Support Services

Strand 6: Early Childhood Special Education. This strand will focus on the unique needs and transition support for preschool children with disabilities, as well as systems and services that support early childhood special education.

Topics of Interest:

  • Early Childhood Transition Strategies

  • Preschool Outcomes and Measurement

  • Preschool Service Systems and Supports

Strand 7: Fiscal. This strand will focus on the financial aspects of special education, including funding streams and compliance with financial regulations.

Topics of Interest:

  • Understanding and Use of 611/619 Funds

  • Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS)

  • Medicaid Funds and Use in Special Education

  • Equitable Services/Proportionate Share

Strand 8: Data. This strand will focus on the role of data in special education, including governance, analysis, and accountability.

Topics of Interest:

  • Data Systems, Governance, and Accountability

  • Data Use and Analysis for Continuous Improvement

  • SPP/APR Data and Reporting

Strand 9: Alternate Programs. This strand will focus on alternative educational programs designed to support students with unique needs or circumstances.

Topics of Interest:

  • Effective Practices in Alternate Programs

  • Supporting Special Education in Alternative Settings

Strand 10: Parent Participation. This strand will explore how schools and agencies can effectively involve parents in the education and decision-making process for students with disabilities.

Topics of Interest

  • Enhancing Parent Participation in Special Education

  • Collaboration Between Schools and Families

Strand 11: Alternate Funding Models. With the increasing focus on block grants in education, this strand will highlight how schools and districts can be "poised and ready" to secure and effectively use these funds.

Proposals should:

  • Address how to position schools or districts for success in securing block grants

  • Provide insights on maximizing block grant opportunities for program development, improvements, and expansion

  • Share case studies or success stories of schools/districts utilizing block grants effectively

Strand 12: School Choice Policies. In this strand, proposals should provide a comparative analysis of school choice policies from various states, including charter schools, voucher systems, public school options, and open enrollment policies.

Proposals should:

  • Highlight both the benefits and challenges of school choice policies in different states

  • Include real-world examples and case studies

  • Offer a balanced, evidence-based discussion on the effectiveness of various school choice models

Strand 13: “Make & Take” Sessions. This strand highlights hands-on, interactive sessions where participants can walk away with practical, implementable tools and strategies. Could include new teaching techniques, organizational strategies, or programs that directly impact student outcomes.

Proposals should:

  • Include a clear, hands-on component

  • Focus on practical tools, templates, or strategies that attendees can implement right away

  • Offer solutions that attendees can take back to their schools and apply immediately

Proposal Review Criteria

The NASDSE Conference Planning Committee will review all submissions based on the following criteria:

  1. The degree to which the proposal clearly addresses one or more of the proposed topics and is identified as important for the field.

  2. The usefulness of proposed content to conference attendees.

  3. The degree to which the proposal has practical application and demonstrated results for the intended audience(s).

  4. The degree to which the proposal has credible and knowledgeable presenters.