Project Description:
2.1 Texas Transition Conference
Purpose: Successful post-school outcome rates in the area of post-secondary education and employment for youth with disabilities continues to be considerably lower than for youth without disabilities. Comprehensive transition planning for youth with disabilities is the vehicle that ensures that each student reaches his or her post-school goals. The final outcome of this planning process should be a life that includes employment, postsecondary education, a place to live, community involvement, financial stability, transportation, and ample medical services. Extensive research has been done on secondary practices that are effective for transitioning youth with disabilities into the post-secondary and employment arenas. Also, this population's post-school outcomes are directly affected by the training and support they receive at the secondary level. The need to provide updated information to students, their families, and the professionals who support them is imperative when considering post-school outcomes.
The Texas Transition Conference is held annually to fill this need. The primary goal of this conference is to provide updated information to professionals, service providers, families, and consumers about best practices related to the transition from school to work, legal requirements, and best practices in secondary and post-secondary education for persons with disabilities. Expected benefits of the conference will be updated educational practices related to transition planning and services and better post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities. The conference provides a reduced registration fee option for all student teachers, parents and youth with disabilities.
This year's Texas Transition Conference was held live at the Royal Sonesta Galleria in Houston, TX. Livestreamed sessions were offered for those attending virtually.
Total Funding: $212,825.00
Our focus is on communication, collaboration, and evidence-based practices that work as it relates to transition throughout life. Our keynotes were experts in communication, transition assessment, and postsecondary education. They were invited to speak on the importance of collaboration, self-regulation, and inclusive programming strategies to help support students of all ability levels in their transition to life after high school. Our keynotes included individuals with disabilities discussing the "Power of Risk" and sharing their stories of self-advocacy. They shared the importance of self-advocacy from elementary to post-secondary education. All general and breakout sessions were organized under five general strands: (a) student-focused transition planning, (b) family involvement, (c) student development, (d) program structure, and (e) interagency collaboration. A total of 7 general sessions and 35 break-out sessions were provided.
Five hundred and three secondary educators, transition specialists, service agency personnel, parents, and students attended this year's conference.
93 (18% of 503) completed conference evaluations. Of these 93 respondents, 68 were
highly satisfied, 25 were satisfied and 0 were dissatisfied with the conference.
Registration Fees:
$35,300.00 Vendors
$177,525.00 TWC/ISDs
Total registrations: 503
473 professionals
20 parents
10 students
Comments:
Awesome conference, and lots of wonderful resources. Great presenters. One of the best conferences that I have attended for transition. I am a TED and member of the community of practice and was chosen to have my conference registration paid. I'm very thankful I was able to attend to gain so much information to help structure my transition program. Awesome job on the conference.
This is a phenomenal conference. It is always well done. The impact on the State of Texas is felt as we see more student empowerment, better interagency connections, ideas that are easy to use at the district level and better post-secondary outcomes. Thank you!
I really appreciate the student representation. The student industry booths were amazing! Thank you for the variety.
Thank you! It was great! I am renewed and inspired, even though I was not in burnout mode. I love my job and I'm excited to share all I've learned.
This has been a rewarding conference. All presenters did a great job at their presentation. I am particularly intrigued with promoting the mental well-being of transition, age youth with an actual and or developmental disabilities.
Beautiful, well organized venue. I enjoyed the students sharing at lunch. It was very, very powerful to hear from the young people. Many of the handouts are helpful. Interesting guest speakers on Friday morning.
This is my first conference for transition and this is one of the best conferences I have attended! I am walking way better than when I came.
Love the panel of students and keynote and breakout sessions. Really liked all the options of presentations wish some were offered more than once. Power of Risk was great thing for several of the topics and keynote. Would love more parents to hear and will take back to school.
This conference is changed the course of my life and career. I would like to work transition services now!
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Specific Groups
