From February 25–27, 2026, staff of the PEAL Center team traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania to attend the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s annual conference, “Making a Difference: Educational Practices that Work!” Hosted by the Bureau of Special Education and PATTAN, the conference brought together educators, advocates, and leaders from across the state to explore strategies that support students with disabilities. PEAL staff attended in person, connecting with colleagues and participating in sessions focused on inclusion, transition planning, and family engagement.
Even before the conference officially began, PEAL staff were engaged in important conversations. On February 24, team members participated in meetings with the State Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), where we shared PEAL’s Family Engagement resources with the panel’s Family Engagement Committee. Another meaningful moment staff shared was seeing PEAL displayed in the IDEA 50th Anniversary History Gallery, highlighting the organization’s long history of supporting families and advancing inclusive education.
The conference opened with an inspiring keynote from Annie Ray, founder of the Crescendo Orchestra Program, who shared that every student has talent and the potential to grow when given the opportunity to participate.
Throughout the conference, PEAL staff attended sessions on topics such as transition assessments, trauma-informed IEPs, dispute resolution, and authentic youth engagement. These presentations offered practical strategies and powerful reminders from recognizing behavior as communication to ensuring youth voices are included in planning for their futures.
As the conference concluded, the experience left staff energized with new ideas and strengthened connections. Opportunities like the PDE Conference help PEAL continue its work supporting families, promoting inclusive education, and ensuring students with disabilities have the resources they need to succeed.
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