Project Description:
2.1 Texas Transition Conference
Purpose and Need: Successful post-school outcome rates in post-secondary education and employment for youth with disabilities continue to be considerably lower than for youth without disabilities. Comprehensive transition planning is the primary vehicle to ensure each student reaches their post-school goals, including employment, post-secondary education, financial stability, and community involvement. Because post-school outcomes are directly affected by secondary-level training, there is an imperative need to provide updated, evidence-based information to students, families, and the professionals who support them. The Texas Transition Conference (TTC) is held annually to directly address this critical gap.
Overall Goals and Objectives: The primary goal of this conference is to serve as a comprehensive statewide vehicle for information dissemination, bringing together diverse perspectives, research, and practices in secondary and post-secondary transition. Rather than endorsing a single methodology, the project provides a centralized platform where professionals, service providers, families, and consumers can access a wide range of strategies, legal updates, and resources. By gathering these stakeholders and organizations in one place, the conference facilitates critical networking and knowledge sharing. To organize these diverse educational offerings, all sessions are structured under five core strands: (a) student-focused transition planning, (b) family involvement, (c) student development, (d) program structure, and (e) interagency collaboration.
Unusual Features: This year's project elevated the statewide transition conversation by introducing keynote focuses on disability justice, workforce innovation, and a collaborative K through 12 transition mindset. Keynote speakers challenged traditional timelines by presenting frameworks for early childhood transition planning and systemic, skills-based hiring models. Structurally, the conference enhanced its information dissemination via an advanced digital infrastructure. This included an interactive Attendee Hub mobile application to deliver real-time session resources directly to participants, alongside a centralized Speaker Resource Management Portal that streamlined the collection, organization, and management of presentation materials. The live event was hosted at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos, TX, featuring 2 keynote sessions and 100 targeted breakout sessions.
Expected Benefits: The expected benefit of this project is an expanded, multi-perspective toolkit for attendees. By exposing secondary educators, transition specialists, and service agency personnel to a wide array of resources and peer practices, they are better equipped to improve transition planning in their local school districts and regions. Families and consumers benefit from a clearer understanding of available statewide services and options, ultimately contributing to more informed choices and better post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities across Texas.
Project Data and Funding:
Total Operating Expenses: $175,575.00
A total of 559 secondary educators, transition specialists, service agency personnel, parents, and students attended this year's conference.
Registration Revenue:
$39,200.00 Exhibitors
$212,225.00 Attendees
Keyword(s):
Mental/Behavioral Health – Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs, transition, post secondary, employment
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology
