2023 OSEP Combined Leadership and Project Directors' Conference

Presenter Information

The theme of this year’s conference, Connect. Collaborate. Change: The Power of Us, allows for creative approaches to information dissemination and audience engagement. We are excited to be back in person and have expanded our session types to allow for innovation that maximizes information dissemination and audience engagement. 

Proposals can be submitted for Implementation Showcase, Talk, Solo, Micro, Poster, Technology Demonstrations, Meet Up, and Workshop sessions. Additional information about recommended topics, session types, and submission guidelines are below.  

Please note, all proposals will be reviewed by the OSEP Proposal Review Committee. Submitting a session proposal will not necessarily result in an acceptance and the committee may recommend revisions to the session. You can learn more about the proposal submission and review process in the Instructions for Submitting a Proposal.  

When ready to submit a proposal, register for the conference and submit a proposal through the OSEP Call for Proposals Portal.

Recommended Topics for Proposals 

Submissions should address the following themes or topics and be relevant to multiple audience groups (see list below), with priority given to proposals addressing both Leadership and Project Directors' audiences, where appropriate: 

• Advancing equity 
• Empowering all who support transition 
• Expanding family engagement 
• Implementing effective dissemination and implementation strategies 
• Improving academic and developmental outcomes 
• States supporting improving outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, students, and their families 

Tracks 

Proposal submitters will be required to identify Audience and Topical tracks for their session. 

• Audience Tracks: Data; Educational Technology, Media and Materials; Fiscal; Part B; Part C/619; Parent Center; Personnel Development Project; State Personnel Development Grant 
• Topical Tracks: See priority topics above 

Instructions for Submitting a Proposal 

All proposals must be submitted through the OSEP Call for Proposals Portal. When submitting a proposal, you will be prompted to create an account.  

• Enter the OSEP Call for Proposals Portal to submit your proposal(s) at any time before the submission deadline on Friday, March 10.  
• Multiple proposals may be submitted on behalf of the same individual and/or organization.  
• If you wish to make any revisions to a submission prior to Friday, March 10, you may make them in the portal by clicking “edit” next to the proposal’s name.  
• No revisions will be accepted in the time between the submission deadline and committee review. You will be able to address feedback and make revisions as necessary after review.  
• You will be notified by email whether your proposal(s) has been accepted and will be able to log into the portal to view your proposal’s status.  
• If your proposal(s) is accepted, you will be asked to confirm your intention to present at the conference. If the OSEP Proposal Review Committee provides feedback, you will need to make all necessary changes to your proposal submission(s) by the given deadline.   
• Once you have confirmed your intention to present and address the OSEP Proposal Review Committee’s feedback (if applicable), you will receive instructions for submitting your presentation materials. 

All presenters (primary and co-presenters) must register as conference attendees. To register, please visit the 2023 OSEP Leadership and Project Directors’ Conference website.    

Questions? Please contact osep-meeting@air.org.  

Session Types: 

Session types for this year’s conference are described below. OSEP strongly encourages that Implementation Showcases and Talks include presenters across OSEP’s Leadership and Project Directors audiences, where appropriate.  

1. Implementation Showcase (75 min) 

   Implementation Showcases feature sites that are effectively implementing policies, practices, or programs that led to improved outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. Typically, 3-5 presenters participate in Implementation Showcases and time (at least 20 minutes) for audience discussion is built in.   

   Examples of possible Implementation Showcases include the following: 

   (1) researcher-practitioner presenter teams describing their experiences implementing an evidence-based practice that improved outcomes for children with disabilities.  

   (2) State Educational Agencies implementing family partnerships and practices that led to improved family engagement.  

   (3) local schools that implement effective processes that engage and empower families to access the appropriate support services needed for successful youth transitions.  

2. Talk (60 min)  

   Talks are focused, diverse, and dynamic presentations, with 2-4 presenters, focused on a particular topic with time (at least 15 mins) for audience discussion built in.    

3. Solo (30 min)  

   Solos are 1-2 person presentations highlighting new and emerging ideas or practices with time (at least 10 mins) for audience discussion built in.   

4. Micro-solo (10 min) 

   Micro-solos are short Solo presentations highlighting new and emerging ideas or practices. Micro-solos will be grouped by the conference planning committee into similarly themed sessions.      

5. Poster Session 

   Poster sessions provide informal opportunities to discuss your project with a broader audience.  Posters should highlight innovative practices in your State, program, or individual grant that led to improved outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. Attendees will visit your poster and hear about your work during a 75-minute block.  

6. Technology Demonstration 

   Technology Demonstrations offer opportunities to share new and innovative technologies available to practitioners, State education agencies, researchers, and technical assistance providers. Attendees will visit your Technology Demonstration and discuss your product during a 75-minute block.  

7. Meet Ups and Workshops (60 minutes)  

   Meet Ups and Workshops are speaker-facilitated events and are NOT presentation-based session formats.   

   Meet Ups are networking and brainstorming events that encourage communities to connect around similar topics, passions, roles, or interests. Meet Ups will be scheduled during free periods throughout the conference; sessions may be hosted mornings, evenings, or during lunch breaks. Please use this form to propose a Meet Up session.  

   Workshops are in-depth instructional programs with hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways. Audience participation should be incorporated throughout, not just reserved for questions at the end of the session.