Call for Proposals
The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) is inviting proposals for a “ED Talks: SPecial Edition” Keynote session and for “You Pick” breakout sessions for the 2026 NASDSE Annual Conference, with the theme Deep in the Heart of Purpose. This year, we are focusing on our purpose as state special education staff and the impact states and partners are having on programs for students with disabilities. 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 state special education staff and partners. By sharing your experiences and expertise, you will help us focus on our purpose to ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Presentations and discussions will help us spread information about and consider how to scale up impactful initiatives and activities.
Proposals will be accepted until May 15, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out in June 2026. We look forward to seeing your proposal and working together to build a more united, informed, and effective special education community.
Submission Information
Download the Submission Preparation guides below. These are tools to help you prepare your submission.
After you have collected the necessary information, submit your content at the submission links above by the deadline of May 15.
Notifications of acceptance will be sent out in June 2026.
“You Pick” (Breakout Sessions)
Attendees, please submit your proposals for the following “You Pick” session strands:
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
Secondary Transition
Inclusionary Supports and Practices
Specially Designed Instruction
SEA Support for Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Instructional Practices
Fiscal Processes
Parent Participation
Strand 2: 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 Support
Strand 3: 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
Improvements, and expansion
Share case studies or success stories of schools/districts utilizing block grants effectively
Submission Instructions
You pick session proposals must identify the primary topic(s) the session is intended to address. Sessions must incorporate strategies and interventions, actively involve the audience, and include adequate time for reflection and sharing. The description of your session, including rationale, usefulness, and outcomes, must be content-specific, complete, clearly written, and accurately reflect the material to be presented. If your proposal is selected, the session description submitted will be used in the conference app.
Please note: The NASDSE Conference Planning Committee reserves the right to edit session titles and descriptions to allow for accuracy, consistency, and clarity in all conference materials. The Planning Committee may also request that proposed sessions be modified or combined to provide multiple viewpoints.
Proposal Review Criteria
The NASDSE Conference Planning Committee will review all submissions based on the following criteria:
The degree to which the proposal clearly addresses one or more of the proposed strands and is identified as important for the field.
The usefulness of proposed content to conference attendees.
The degree to which the proposal has practical application and demonstrated results for the intended audience(s).
The degree to which the proposal has credible and knowledgeable presenters.
“Ed Talks: SPecial EDition” (Keynote Session)
State Directors, please submit your proposals for the “ED Talks: SPecial Edition” Keynote Session:
The keynote session on Day of the conference will be a group of 10-12 minute ED Talks. We are inviting states to submit a proposal to share an impactful activity or initiative that would inspire other states. The core formula of a ED Talk is sharing the story and supporting data/evidence about one state-level activity/initiative that has demonstrated evidence presented through a combination of personal narrative, evidence, and a strong call to action, within a 12-minute limit. We anticipate accepting five ED Talk proposals to be shared during the keynote session.
ED Talk proposals should identify the impact of the state initiative/activity the ED Talk will address. The description of your ED talk should be clearly written and accurately reflect the information to be presented. If your ED Talk proposal is selected, the session description submitted will be used in the conference app.
A suggested ED Talk formula is focused on sharing a single, powerful state initiative/activity impact rather than just presenting facts. The core formula revolves around one state-level activity/initiative with "Impact Worth Sharing," presented through a combination of personal narrative, evidence, and a strong call to action, within a 12-minute limit.
The formula for a successful ED Talk is:
1. The Core Impact (The "What")
One Single Impact: A good ED talk won’t cover everything. It will focus on one core impact, which can be expressed in one sentence.
The "Why": Why should the audience care? The impact should be compelling.
The "Gift": Think of your ED talk as a gift you are giving to the other states in the audience and to your legacy as a State Director—why is this helpful or inspiring to other states?
2. The Structure (The "How")
Most successful talks follow a three-part structure similar to a story:
Act 1: Setup (The Hook & Problem)
The Hook: Start with an immediate, attention-grabbing hook (e.g., a personal story, a stunning statistic, or a surprising question) rather than self-introduction.
The Problem/Topic: Define what you are talking about clearly within the first 60–90 seconds.
Act 2: The Body (The Evidence & Journey)
The "Why": Explain your state’s connection to the impact (why you care).
The Evidence: Use stories, data, and research, not just personal anecdotes. Cut anything that doesn't directly support your main idea.
The Journey: Walk the audience through your "Aha!" moment and show how your thinking evolved.
Act 3: The Conclusion (The Vision & Call to Action)
The Takeaway: Summarize the core impact one last time.
The Call to Action (CTA): Tell the audience what they should think, feel, or do differently after leaving.
End Strong: Avoid closing with "Thank you" or a summary of everything said. End on a positive, hopeful vision of the future.
3. Key Ingredients
Conversational Tone: Write the way you speak, not the way you write academic papers. The best talks feel like a story told to a friend.
Vulnerability: Authentic stories about failure or struggle build trust and emotional engagement.
Visual Aids:Use simple images, not bullet points. If people are reading, they aren't listening.
Rehearse Often: Rehearse until it sounds natural, not "over-rehearsed" (which means stilted).
ED Talk Design Summary Checklist
Does my talk focus on one impact?
Do I start with a strong hook?
Is the idea backed by evidence?
Is there a clear call to action?
Does it fit within 12 minutes (approx. 1500 words)?