|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
420664
|
Registration
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Lobby
Registration
|
Registration
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0/350
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414545
|
Keynote Day 1: Cedrick LaFleur -Cross the Line
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
Do you want to learn to lead with clarity, resilience, and execution in complex systems?
This keynote session is designed to energize leaders while grounding them in practical leadership behaviors that drive results across instruction, talent, and systems.
The session is structured around four core tenets:
1. Choose to Commit – Building leader ownership and decision clarity
2. Work Hard – Aligning effort to the right work that impacts student outcomes
3. Focus – Prioritizing high-leverage actions in instructional leadership
4. Bounce Back – Developing resilience and adaptive leadership in special education
contexts
You will leave with a shared language, renewed commitment, and an actionable leadership mindset aligned to systemwide priorities.
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Keynote Speaker
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132/450
|
|
|
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Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
420132
|
Solutions for Special Education: 10-minute Exhibitor Spotlights
9:35 AM - 10:45 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
The "Solutions for Special Education: 10-minute Exhibitor Spotlights" session features a series of rapid, high-impact presentations from leading educational vendors. Each exhibitor has a strict 10-minute window to showcase their most innovative tools, resources, and services designed to support diverse learners and special education educators.
|
Exhibitor
|
0/400
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|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414566
|
Getting Started With Core-Selective Evaluation: A Three-Session Series for TEA Aligned SLD Decision-Making (part I)
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Conference Theater
Part I of a three-session series:
Together, the three sessions provide participants with a coherent framework for planning, conducting, and interpreting evaluations that align with TEA expectations
and real-world school practices.
Learning Outcomes
• Describe the foundational principles of the Core-Selective Evaluation Process
(C-SEP) and explain how they align with TEA SLD guidance and evaluation
requirements.
• Explain how deliberate, purposeful test selection improves efficiency,
instructional relevance, and defensibility in SLD evaluations.
• Apply task-demand analysis to achievement data by examining how input,
processing, and output demands influence student performance.
• Demonstrate responsible and efficient use of assessment data to identify
meaningful patterns of achievement and support sound special education
eligibility and instructional decision-making.
Presented by: Dr. Edward Schultz
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Evaluation
|
50/96
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414568
|
Beyond Hearing: Supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
“Deaf Awareness 101” is an introductory session designed to build foundational knowledge and awareness of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This presentation will provide participants with essential information on deaf awareness, Deaf culture, the referral process for students with suspected hearing loss, and the range of services available through Regional Day School Programs for the Deaf (RDSPD). The session aims to equip educators and school personnel with practical strategies and a deeper understanding to better support student success and inclusion.
Presented by: Idalia Salazar
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Meaningful Access/Instructional
|
4/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414547
|
VCASE: Legally Speaking (Part I)
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 101
VCASE Members only
Attorney Leslie Alvarez from O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo will provide updates on current legal issues and amendments impacting special education programs.
|
VCASE Members
|
13/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414589
|
When Caseloads Don’t Work: Using the Workload Approach for Special Education Staffing
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 102
Standard ratios attached to caseloads may no longer reflect the realities of special education needs, yet staffing decisions continue to rely on this method. This session will examine challenges and limitations found in traditional staffing models and introduce a workload-based approach to special education staffing. Participants will learn how this shift can lead to more efficient and effective use of staff time, improve compliance, and create stronger program outcomes.
Presented by: Dr. Denise Carter, TASB
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Leadership
|
6/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414555
|
Developing Critical Thinking Through Structured Concept Development
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 103
Many classrooms emphasize activities before fully developing the underlying concepts. This session focuses on strengthening Tier 1 instruction through deliberate concept development, modeling, and guided thinking.
Participants will learn how to:
Clearly define and teach concepts before assigning tasks
Model the thinking process behind correct answers,
Use higher-order questioning with structured support
Implement inclusion strategies such as accountable Pair-Share (appropriate partnering, processing time, pointing to process, and proving understanding)
Increase teacher clarity while decreasing unproductive independent struggle
Presented by Larry Federico
|
Meaningful Access/Instructional
|
24/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414560
|
Soaring to Great Heights! Overview of ECSE Modules on the Learning Environment & Classroom/Individual Schedules
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 104
Presented by Lisa Rogers
Young children thrive in predictable, safe and well-organized environments. This session will present the world premiere of new evidence-based modules that have been tailored for ECSE teachers and teams to create this foundation. Together, we will understand the key ingredients to setting the stage for a positive and child-centered learning environment. In addition, participants will receive access to a virtual library of visual supports that include, but are not limited to, labels for key areas & materials, class rules, class schedules, individual schedules, choice boards, first-then boards, social narratives, communication boards, self-regulation tools and more! Through collaboration and purposeful planning, we can and will create a strong foundation and achieve less stress and MORE SUCCESS to reach greater heights in 2026-27!
|
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
|
31/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414562
|
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 201
This interactive workshop focuses on strengthening leadership communication to improve instructional coherence, staff alignment, and execution.
Participants will explore how effective communication directly supports:
• Implementation of high-quality instructional materials
• Strong instructional leadership systems
• Strategic talent development and retention
You will gain practical communication tools that increase clarity, trust, and follow-through across teams.
Based on the book, "The 12 Laws of Communication: How K–12 Leaders Build Clarity, Trust, and
Execution in Schools" by Cedrick LaFleur
Presented by: Cedrick LaFleur
|
Leadership
|
8/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414565
|
Behavior Pathways and Root Cause Analysis
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
Dive into identifying the function of behavior through behavior pathways and root cause analysis. Participants learn how to move beyond surface behaviors to understand why behaviors occur and how to respond effectively.
Presented by: Dr. Donya Ball (Strobel Education)
|
MTSS/Behavior
|
37/75
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
420665
|
Lunch on Your Own
11:50 AM - 1:20 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Patio Area
Lunch on your own
|
Lunch
|
0/400
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414585
|
Getting Started With Core-Selective Evaluation: A Three-Session Series for TEA Aligned SLD Decision-Making (Part II)
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Conference Theater
Part II of three sessions.
Together, the three sessions provide participants with a coherent framework for planning, conducting, and interpreting evaluations that align with TEA expectations
and real-world school practices.
Learning Outcomes
• Describe the foundational principles of the Core-Selective Evaluation Process
(C-SEP) and explain how they align with TEA SLD guidance and evaluation
requirements.
• Explain how deliberate, purposeful test selection improves efficiency,
instructional relevance, and defensibility in SLD evaluations.
• Apply task-demand analysis to achievement data by examining how input,
processing, and output demands influence student performance.
• Demonstrate responsible and efficient use of assessment data to identify
meaningful patterns of achievement and support sound special education
eligibility and instructional decision-making.
Presented by: Dr. Edward Schultz
|
Evaluation
|
46/96
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414587
|
Apple Accessibility for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia: Practical Tools for Inclusive Learning
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
This session explores how Apple Accessibility features can remove barriers for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia while strengthening inclusive instructional practices. Participants will experience built-in supports such as Speak Selection, Safari Reader, Accessibility Reader, Dictation, and Guided Access to scaffold reading, writing, focus, and executive functioning. Through classroom-aligned examples, educators will learn how to leverage these tools to increase student independence, reduce cognitive load, and support literacy development within special education and general education settings.
Presented by: David Warren Hernandez
|
Dyslexia
|
16/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414569
|
Same Goal-Special Program Documentation
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 101
SameGoal is a documentation, management and compliance platform for all special programs: Special Education, Section 504, RTI/MTSS, EB and GT. Manage all of your district's data in one integrated solution. With robust validation checks for compliance, reports for alignment and a multitude of features for ease of authoring such as autosave, translations, electronic signatures and sharing; SameGoal will simplify special programs for your teams.
Presented by: Chantelle Taylor
|
Leadership
|
13/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414571
|
Modify Your Mindset to Accommodate for ALL Learners
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 102
Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms offer powerful opportunities for students to gain real-world skills, but students with disabilities are often unintentionally excluded from fully participating in these experiences. This session challenges educators to modify their mindset when it comes to access, expectations, and instructional design in CTE environments. Participants will explore practical strategies for supporting diverse learners while maintaining the rigor and authenticity of CTE programs. Through real classroom examples, attendees will learn how to implement meaningful accommodations, collaborate effectively with special education teams, and design instruction that allows all students to demonstrate their skills. The session will also highlight how inclusive CTE practices improve postsecondary outcomes such as employment, credential attainment, and continued education. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, planning tools, and conversation starters they can immediately apply to create more inclusive, high-impact CTE classrooms where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Presented by: Dr. Brynn Biggs
|
Post-Secondary
|
8/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414575
|
Engagement Strategies That Increase Processing and Retention for Special Education Students
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 103
This session will explore brain research related to attention span, cognitive processing, and student engagement. Research consistently shows that student attention is brief and must be re-engaged frequently through structured interaction.
Participants will learn how to:
Increase student processing opportunities every 30–60 seconds
Use whiteboards, partner discussions, and structured responses to check for understanding
Reduce passive listening and increase accountable student talk
Embed brain-based engagement routines into daily instruction
Ensure that students with dyslexia and other learning needs are actively processing—not merely present
The session emphasizes practical, repeatable structures teachers can implement immediately, even within mandated curriculum frameworks.
Presented by: Larry Federico
|
Meaningful Access/Instructional
|
20/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414577
|
Soaring to Great Heights [Part 2]: Building Positive Behaviors with Consistent Routines & Transitions
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 104
The wonderful thing about young children and their brains is that they are still growing and learning each and every day. As educators and parents work to build those young brains, they guide little ones as they learn how to control their impulses and big feelings. This final session of the newly developed ECSE modules will celebrate the power of joy and social belonging to support children throughout many transitions throughout the day. These multiple transitions, especially from highly preferred to less preferred activities, may often be more difficult than would appear at first glance. Consistent routines with visuals, songs and a sprinkle of joy are one of the most effective tools ECSE teachers have to promote positive behaviors for all.
Presented by: Lisa Rogers
|
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
|
28/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414581
|
From "Why are we doing this?" to "Ohhhh!"
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 201
Ever wonder how to turn grade-level TEKS into learning that actually clicks for students with complex access needs? In this session, we’ll explore how to move beyond “covering” curriculum and instead create instruction that is conceptually appropriate, developmentally aligned, and meaningfully accessible. We’ll look at why traditional assessment and goal-writing can miss the mark—and share a practical tool to help teams find real entry points into the curriculum. Together, we’ll identify the foundational concepts that matter most, so instruction feels purposeful, connected, and worthy of our students’ time and energy.
Presented by:Sarah Mossberger, TSBVI
|
Low Incidence
|
7/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414583
|
Developing Self-Regulation Systems and Spaces
1:25 PM - 2:25 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
Learn how to design and implement Self Regulation Rooms and classroom-based processes that support emotional regulation, skill building, and problem solving. Participants explore systems for management, instruction, and student.
Presented by: Dr. Donya Ball (Strobel Education)
|
MTSS/Behavior
|
30/75
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
420132
|
Solutions for Special Education: 10-minute Exhibitor Spotlights
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
The "Solutions for Special Education: 10-minute Exhibitor Spotlights" session features a series of rapid, high-impact presentations from leading educational vendors. Each exhibitor has a strict 10-minute window to showcase their most innovative tools, resources, and services designed to support diverse learners and special education educators.
|
Exhibitor
|
0/400
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414597
|
Getting Started With Core-Selective Evaluation: A Three-Session Series for TEA Aligned SLD Decision-Making (Part III)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Conference Theater
Part III-Together, the three sessions provide participants with a coherent framework for planning, conducting, and interpreting evaluations that align with TEA expectations
and real-world school practices.
Learning Outcomes
• Describe the foundational principles of the Core-Selective Evaluation Process
(C-SEP) and explain how they align with TEA SLD guidance and evaluation
requirements.
• Explain how deliberate, purposeful test selection improves efficiency,
instructional relevance, and defensibility in SLD evaluations.
• Apply task-demand analysis to achievement data by examining how input,
processing, and output demands influence student performance.
• Demonstrate responsible and efficient use of assessment data to identify
meaningful patterns of achievement and support sound special education
eligibility and instructional decision-making.
Presented by Dr. Edward Schultz
|
Evaluation
|
44/96
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414598
|
On the SHARS Hot Seat: The Top 10 Questions SPED Leaders Are Asking This Summer
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
As the school year ends, SHARS timelines, cost reporting, and audit readiness move fast. In this 60-minute, podcast-style Q&A, we will walk through the top 10 questions districts are asking about SHARS next year, a practical checklist for closing out the year, preparing STEPS cost reporting, and how to be audit ready. Participants can bring their own questions and leave with decision points and next steps for the summer.
Presented by: Frontline Education: Dario Avila- Stasia Viator, Account Executive II, Stasia Viator is an Account Executive II, Laura Smith, Sr. Client Value Partner
|
Leadership
|
3/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414549
|
The Final Launch: Designing Meaningful 18–21 Transition Experiences
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 102
Students ages 18–21 in special education 18+ transition programs are preparing for one of the most significant shifts of their lives—moving from school-based supports to adult independence. This session explores best practices for designing meaningful, community-based transition programs that prepare students for employment, postsecondary training, and independent living. Participants will learn how effective 18+ programs move beyond classroom instruction to emphasize real-world experiences such as work-based learning, community partnerships, travel training, and independent living skill development. The session will highlight strategies for collaborating with vocational rehabilitation agencies, employers, and families to create individualized pathways for each student. Through practical examples and program models, attendees will gain ideas for building authentic opportunities that promote confidence, autonomy, and long-term success. Participants will leave with actionable strategies, planning considerations, and program design ideas to strengthen their 18–21 transition services and better prepare students with disabilities for meaningful adult outcomes.
Presented by: Dr. Brynn Biggs
|
Post-Secondary
|
13/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414591
|
SDI in Reading: Aligning Systems for Equitable Access
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 103
This training clarifies SDI as the core of special education under IDEA, not a placement or accommodation. It shows how explicit, science-based reading instruction as SDI improves access, skill growth, and outcomes for students with disabilities.
|
Meaningful Access/Instructional
|
4/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414592
|
Let's Build Structure City! Applying Structured Teaching Principles in the Early Childhood Setting
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 104
Grounded in evidence-based practices, participants will explore how physical structure, predictability, and visual supports can significantly improve a little one’s engagement, positive behavior, and independence in early childhood classrooms.
Presented by: Anissa Moore
|
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
|
29/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414593
|
Data Without the Drama: Simple Tracking for Complex Needs
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 201
Collecting meaningful data for students with complex access needs does not have to feel overwhelming. This practical and engaging session will explore simple, realistic strategies for tracking student progress in ways that are manageable, effective, and aligned with individualized instruction. Participants will learn how to streamline data collection, identify meaningful progress indicators, and use easy-to-implement tools for students with multiple disabilities. Real-world examples, adaptable templates, and low-stress systems will be shared to help educators spend less time stressing over data and more time supporting student growth.
|
Low Incidence
|
15/48
|
|
|
|
Wednesday June 10, 2026
|
|
414596
|
Responding to Escalation and Crisis Behavior
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
Develop practical strategies for responding to escalation and crisis behavior with consistency and care. Learn the escalation techniques, adult regulation strategies, and systems that protect instructional time and relationships.
Presented by: Dr. Donya Ball (Strobel Education)
|
MTSS/Behavior
|
35/35
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414599
|
Day 2 Keynote: Flowing Forward: Intentional Collaboration and Integrated Support for Students with Dyslexia
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
What if supporting students with dyslexia wasn't about isolated programs or fragmented efforts, but about creating a system that flows with intention across every classroom and every educational setting? This interactive keynote invited educators, specialists, and administrators to rethink how support for students with dyslexia is designed and delivered. Grounded in structured literacy and an integrated approach, this session emphasizes the importance of intentional collaboration to ensure that support is aligned across classroom instruction, intervention, and campus-wide systems. Participants will explore how shared language, dyslexia-friendly environments, and explicit, systematic instruction can be embedded across settings to reduce barriers and increase access for all learners. Using the concept of “flow,” attendees will examine how cohesive systems create consistency across the school day, rather than fragmented experiences for students.
Participants will identify barriers within everyday instruction and leave with practical, actionable strategies to strengthen alignment, support language processing, and create more responsive learning environments.
Because when support flows with intention across classrooms and systems, we don’t just support students with dyslexia…
We create conditions that carry them forward.
Presented by: Casey Harrison
|
Keynote Speaker
|
130/450
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414608
|
The Identification of Developmental Delay
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Conference Theater
Developmental delay refers to a significant lag in a child’s attainment of age-expected milestones across one or more domains, including cognitive, communication, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning. For evaluation personnel, accurate identification requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that integrates standardized assessment tools, clinical observation, caregiver interviews, and review of developmental, medical, and educational histories. Early and precise diagnosis is critical for determining eligibility for services and guiding individualized intervention planning.
Presented by: Dr. Mertie M. Gomez
|
Evaluation
|
46/96
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414609
|
Accessibility at Apple: Empowering All Learners
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
Given the range of learning styles and abilities of students today, educators need technology and resources to accommodate and personalize learning. Apple builds accessibility features into every product, so everyone can use them in ways that work best for them. Join us to discuss how Apple allows all students and teachers to explore, communicate, and create.
Presented by: David Warren Hernandez
|
Meaningful Access/Instructional
|
3/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414600
|
Purposeful Pathways to Progress: Integrating Progress Monitoring Within Dyslexia Interventions
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 101
Participants will explore how to seamlessly integrate data collection into daily literacy routines, enabling instructional time and progress monitoring to work together rather than compete. Grounded in Structured Literacy and aligned with Texas Education Agency (TEA) expectations for data-based instruction, this session provides practical, efficient strategies to capture meaningful student data while maintaining instructional integrity.
Designed for educators supporting students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, participants will learn how to use real-time student responses to inform instructional decisions, align progress monitoring with IEP goals, and implement sustainable systems that strengthen both teaching and student outcomes. Through this purposeful integration, educators can ensure that every instructional step leads to measurable progress.
Presented by: Casey Harrison
|
Dyslexia
|
25/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414603
|
From IEP to IBC: Turning Plans into Credentials "How administrators, counselors, SPED, and CTE teams can work together to move students from complian
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 102
Students receiving special education services deserve pathways that lead not only to graduation, but to meaningful postsecondary outcomes. From IEP to IBC: Turning Plans into Credentials focuses on how campuses and districts can intentionally align ARD/IEP planning with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs), and Military Readiness indicators to ensure measurable CCMR success.
This session will clarify CCMR requirements related to IBC attainment and Military Readiness, with specific attention to implications for SPED students. Participants will explore practical strategies for cross-department collaboration among administrators, counselors, SPED case managers, and CTE staff to ensure students are scheduled strategically, supported appropriately, and positioned for credential attainment.
Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for embedding career-focused goals into IEP development, monitoring progress toward certifications, reducing access barriers, and strengthening systems that move beyond compliance to outcomes. When teams align early and intentionally, plans become pathways—and pathways become credentials that open doors for students’ futures.
Presented by: Hermelinda Ayala Rios, Veronica Alejandro, Dr. Raul Alvarez, Jr.
|
Post-Secondary
|
7/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414604
|
From Confusion to Confidence: Bluebonnet Math for Every Learner (K-5)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 103
Not sure what you can adjust in a Bluebonnet math lesson without lowering rigor? This session breaks it down. Teachers will explore where students struggle within a lesson and practice making real-time instructional decisions that support access while protecting the math. Leave with clear strategies you can use immediately in your classroom.
|
Meaningful Access/Instructional
|
12/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414605
|
Developing Early Literacy and Communication Skills for Lifelong Success
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 104
Presented by Lisa Rogers
Language and literacy are deeply intertwined, shaping human comprehension and communication. Language enables us to express thoughts and emotions, while literacy allows us to decipher written information, enhancing our knowledge and ability to empathize.
|
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
|
34/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414606
|
Sensory Supports That Support Learning
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 201
Make sensory supports meaningful! Special education teachers will learn to create purposeful tools that help students regulate, engage, and access learning. Hands-on, practical strategies ready to use right away with students with complex needs!
|
Low Incidence
|
29/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414607
|
VCASE Member Only: Legally Speaking (Part II)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
VCASE Members only
Attorney Leslie Alvarez will continue the discussion with additional legal guidance and practical considerations for school leaders.
|
VCASE Members
|
6/75
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
420667
|
Lunch & Learn-If Your Medicaid Revenue Is Still Down, It’s Your Strategy, Not Your Effort
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
VCASE Members Only
This session will focus on strategies districts can implement to strengthen Medicaid reimbursement processes and maximize revenue opportunities.
Presented by MSB experts Tabbatha Callaway, Aprel Dobson, and Chelsea Beaty,
|
VCASE Members
|
0/400
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
420666
|
Lunch on Your Own
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Patio Area
Lunch on your own
|
Lunch
|
0/400
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414618
|
What are the "G''s?
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Conference Theater
A useful strategy is to frame the “G’s” as the brain’s “learning tools” or “engines,” each with a specific job. This helps stakeholders understand not just what the “G” is, but how it impacts learning and why it matters for instruction. When explanations are engaging, clear, and grounded in everyday experience, they foster stronger collaboration and a deeper understanding of how to support the learner effectively.
Presented by: Dr. Mertie M. Gomez
|
Evaluation
|
52/96
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414610
|
Supporting Bilingual Students with Dyslexia Through TELPAS Practices
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 101
Emergent bilingual students with dyslexia often sit at the intersection of language acquisition and disability identification, and educators are frequently faced with an important question: Is this a language difference, a disability, or both? This session will examine how to thoughtfully navigate that distinction while maintaining high expectations for bilingual learners. Participants will explore how TELPAS practices can support both language development and literacy growth, and how to interpret student performance through a lens that honors second language acquisition and dyslexia characteristics. The session will provide practical classroom strategies that align ELPS, dyslexia supports, and TELPAS proficiency levels. Educators will also learn and practice the LIFT strategy to strengthen student writing and speaking responses during TELPAS. Attendees will leave with clear instructional moves they can implement immediately to support bilingual students with dyslexia without lowering cognitive rigor.
Presented by: Francisco Faticati
|
Dyslexia
|
29/48
|
|
|
|
Thursday June 11, 2026
|
|
414612
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Pathways to Possibility: Understanding VR Services for Students in Texas
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 102
Explore how Texas VR opens pathways to possibilities through Pre-ETS, real student stories, and clear steps to access services. Learn why early VR connection matters and how the two available Pre-ETS pathways support student success.
Presented by: Rebecca Quintero, TWC
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Post-Secondary
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3/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414613
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Adding SDI to Increase Access and Remove Barriers
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 103
During this workshop teachers will dive into Specially Designed Instruction and build on knowledge of providing students with meaningful access to the curriculum. Teachers will analyze SDI practices and engage in collaborative discussions to build
a toolkit of specially designed instructional practices to increase student achievement. Teachers will gather ready-to-use strategies and a SDI planning tool to accelerate student success and leave inspired to begin the journey with SDI!
Essential Question:
How can we utilize specially designed instructional practices and add more "special" to accelerate the learning of our students with disabilities?
Let's ADD more "special" to provide ALL students access to content!
Mastery Objectives:
1. Identify and discuss the essential characteristics of Specially Designing instruction to accelerate student achievement.
2. Analyze Specially Designed Instruction planning tools to increase student outcomes in academic content across the curriculum.
3. Examine current practices and plan for implementation of SDI using guided Specially Designed Instruction planners.
Presented by: Savanna Flakes
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Meaningful Access/Instructional
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7/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414614
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Wild About Literacy! Interactive Books in Early Childhood Literacy
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 104
Student not interested in books? Then get interactive! This session will focus on activating and maintaining student interest by making stories more tangible, audible, and hands-on. Gain simple yet effective strategies to enhance a child’s literacy through active participation, turn-taking, visual vocabulary, using props, and pre-teaching abstract concepts.
Presented by: Anissa Moore
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Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
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23/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414615
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Create, Adapt, Engage: Canva to Support Complex Access Needs
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 201
Ready, set, create! Special education teachers working with students with complex access needs will explore Canva to design visuals, choice boards, and adapted materials in minutes. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas/templates, just bring your device and get creative!
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Low Incidence
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23/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414617
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Turn Up the Impact: Using DBI to Supercharge IEP Progress
1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
This session provides a practical introduction to the Data-Based Individualization (DBI) process and its role in improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Participants will build a clear understanding of the key components of DBI, including ongoing progress monitoring, data-based decision making, and systematic intensification of instruction. The session will highlight how DBI can be used to design and adjust instruction that is responsive to individual student needs and aligned to IEP goals. Through concrete examples, attendees will explore how to interpret student data, identify when changes are needed, and select appropriate strategies to intensify support. In addition, participants will be introduced to high-quality, free resources that can support implementation in their own settings. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with actionable knowledge and tools to more effectively use DBI to accelerate student progress and help ensure students meet their IEP goals.
Presented by: Sarah Benz
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MTSS/Behavior
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4/75
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414630
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Writing Impact and Need Statements to Support Eligibility Decisions
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Conference Theater
Impact and need statements not only support eligibility decisions but also guide teams toward targeted, actionable supports, ultimately improving outcomes for the student.
Presented by: Dr. Mertie M. Gomez
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Evaluation
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44/96
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414631
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Stabilize, Standardize, Improve: Engineering Special Education Transformation
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Exhibit Hall
This transformative session provides a strategic blueprint for stabilizing, repairing, and growing a district-level special education program. Designed specifically for district special education leaders and staff, it offers a systems-based framework to strengthen practice, ensure compliance, and drive sustainable improvement.
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Leadership
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8/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414620
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Beyond the Page: Integrating Reading, Thinking, and Writing in Dyslexia Intervention
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 101
Reading comprehension requires intentional development, not incidental learning. For students with dyslexia and other language-based disabilities, strong comprehension grows when decoding, vocabulary, language, and writing are explicitly integrated through structured, systematic, and diagnostic instruction. This session presents practical, evidence-based strategies to help educators move beyond superficial questions and design lessons for deep understanding.
Participants will learn to guide students in analyzing text, monitoring meaning, and noticing comprehension breakdowns, while using sentence-level writing to strengthen organization and expression. The session emphasizes explicit instruction in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, alongside scaffolded routines supporting students from reading to discussion to written response.
Presented by: Casey Harrison
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Dyslexia
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28/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414621
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Entrepreneurship for Equity: Engaging Students of All Abilities
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 102
Entrepreneurship can be a powerful pathway for students of all abilities to build independence, confidence, and career skills. This session explores inclusive strategies for integrating entrepreneurship into transition planning and classroom instruction. Participants will learn how to design accessible, student-centered experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application, while promoting equitable opportunities for all learners. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to support diverse students in exploring self-employment and entrepreneurial pathways.
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Post-Secondary
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5/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414623
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Daily Double ... I'm a Resource Teacher and Co-Teacher
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 103
I'm a Special Education Teacher! What's your Superpower? Special education teachers wear two powerful capes - Resource Teacher and Co-Teacher. In this interactive workshop teachers will unpack a practical unit-planning tool designed to
strengthen differentiated instruction for students with disabilities in our inclusive classrooms. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use instructional strategies and resources to maximize their role as a learning specialist in the co-taught classroom.
Essential Question:
How can we proactively plan to accelerate the learning of our students with disabilities?
Mastery Objectives:
1. Identify and discuss high impact strategies to accelerate student achievement in inclusive classrooms.
2. Examine current practices and plan for implementation using a unit planner.
Presented by: Savanna Flakes
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Meaningful Access/Instructional
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8/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414626
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A Spectrum of Success: Early Childhood Strategies for Students with Autism
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 104
Gain practical inclusion strategies for students with autism in this session, adding tools such as physical and visual structure in the least restrictive environment, proactive instructional and behavior supports, and strategies to promote positive peer relationships in general education environments.
Presented by: Anissa Moore
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Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
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47/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414628
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Tap, Talk, Connect: Proloquo2Go Basics for Educators
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 201
Learn the basics of AAC and Proloquo2Go in this interactive, hands-on session designed for educators new to communication devices. Participants will explore core vocabulary, motor planning, and language modeling while practicing with real classroom scenarios and literacy activities. This session emphasizes communication over perfection and provides practical tools teachers can use right away.
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Low Incidence
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3/48
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Thursday June 11, 2026
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414629
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Teach Smarter: Using IEP Data to Drive Instructional Adaptations
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
South Padre Island Convention Center - Room 202
This session focuses on how educators can use IEP progress monitoring data to make timely, effective instructional adaptations that improve student outcomes. Participants will learn how to interpret progress data, identify meaningful trends, and determine when instruction is or is not working. The session will emphasize practical decision-making, including what to adjust, when to adjust it, and how to ensure changes are aligned with students’ IEP goals. Through examples and guided discussion, attendees will explore strategies for modifying instruction, increasing intensity, and selecting targeted supports based on individual student needs. The session will also highlight common challenges, such as unclear data patterns or slow progress, and offer concrete approaches to address them.
By the end of the session, participants will walk away with greater confidence in using data to guide instruction, along with actionable strategies and tools to make responsive, student-centered instructional decisions that accelerate progress toward IEP goals.
Presented by: Sarah Benz
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MTSS/Behavior
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8/75
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