Join WestEd special education experts at the 2026 National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) Conference, September 28–30, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
Our sessions will examine how states can build sustainable systems for inclusion and educational improvement, from creating durable infrastructure that supports statewide transformation to strengthening Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) implementation through “health checks.”
Add our sessions to your conference agenda to learn more about our work.
WestEd Sessions
Tuesday, September 28
Pulling back the Curtain: From Initiative to Infrastructure
Time: 2–3:00p.m.
Presenters: Julia Hartwig (WestEd), Dr. Tania May (WA OSPI), Dr. Cassie Martin (WA OSPI)
Washington’s Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN) demonstrates how states can move beyond disconnected initiatives to build durable infrastructure for inclusion. Presenters will share practical strategies for aligning partners, governance structures, funding, and implementation supports to sustain statewide transformation and reduce fragmentation across technical assistance systems.
Tuesday, September 29
Improving State Implementation of IDEA: Seven Systems Health Checks
Time: 9:30–10:30a.m.
Presenters: Susan Hayes (WestEd), Julia Hartwig (WestEd), Nicole Garcia (WestEd), Dr. Jill Vice (Deputy Secretary Office of Special Education, New Mexico Public Education Department), Dr. Melissa Card (Part B Data Manager, Alabama State Department of Education)
States can strengthen IDEA implementation by regularly “health-checking” their general supervision system—like an annual physical—to identify strengths, gaps, and improvement priorities. This session introduces seven key systems health checks and shares lessons from two states that used them to guide system improvements.
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