Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners (In Person)

Session Dates

Monday July 28, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

This conference will bring together Pennsylvania’s educators, community partners, families, and youth to explore the latest insights, strategies, and tools that bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application. Sessions will have a specific focus on autism, sensory disabilities, secondary transition, and students with complex instructional needs. Participants will gain tangible strategies to enhance teaching practices, drive student success, and adapt to the evolving demands of today’s classrooms.

Objectives

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

• Explore evidence-based instructional strategies tailored to students with autism, low-incidence disabilities, and sensory disabilities that support inclusive education and differentiated instruction, with an emphasis on preparing students for post-secondary goals and transition planning
• Explain how to implement specialized assessment tools and progress monitoring systems that provide actionable data for students with autism, low-incidence disabilities, and sensory disabilities, as well as designing individualized transition goals.
• List effective methods for building strong partnerships among schools, families, and community agencies to enhance the secondary transition outcomes of students with autism, low-incidence disabilities, and sensory disabilities, focusing on long-term success in employment, independent living, and post-secondary education.
• Discuss the implementation of evidence-based practices to foster the academic, social, and emotional growth of students with autism and low-incidence disabilities through targeted interventions, preparing them for successful transitions to adulthood and greater independence.
• Identify strategies to create cooperative environments that help students with autism, low-incidence disabilities, and sensory disabilities build social and communication skills, fostering collaboration as they transition into adulthood and community life.
• Explore the use of assistive technology and digital tools that enhance communication, accessibility, and learning for students with autism, low-incidence disabilities, and sensory disabilities including supporting their transition to post-secondary environments and employment.
• Provide a dynamic space for youth to engage in learning activities, build social skills and self-advocacy skills, explore STEM topics, and connect with peers and mentors as they prepare for the transition to adult life, employment, and independent living.

Target Audience