2026 ESEA + IDEA Directors Conference
Join us on September 30 & October 1, 2026
Welcome to the 2026 ESEA Directors Meeting! This year's meeting will be held September 30–October 1 and will feature an agenda focused on meaningful learning, collaboration, and practical resources for ESEA leaders across Idaho.
Throughout the meeting, participants will have opportunities to learn about program updates, explore best practices, and hear examples of innovative work taking place in our LEAs. Each program coordinator will present both a Program Overview Session and a Best Practices & Innovation Session, providing attendees with valuable information, practical strategies, and ideas they can bring back to their districts.
Please take a look at the agenda below, and we look forward to seeing you this fall!
Throughout the meeting, participants will have opportunities to learn about program updates, explore best practices, and hear examples of innovative work taking place in our LEAs. Each program coordinator will present both a Program Overview Session and a Best Practices & Innovation Session, providing attendees with valuable information, practical strategies, and ideas they can bring back to their districts.
Please take a look at the agenda below, and we look forward to seeing you this fall!
Location
Nampa Civic Center
311 3rd St S, Nampa, ID
311 3rd St S, Nampa, ID
Date & Time
September 30, 2026, 7:00AM - 4:30PM
October 1, 2026, 7:00AM -1:00PM
October 1, 2026, 7:00AM -1:00PM
Wednesday Schedule
7:00 - 8:00 AM
Registration
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Welcome
Debbie Critchfield
Maria Puga, Ayaka Nukui, Randi Cole
Maria Puga, Ayaka Nukui, Randi Cole
9:15 - 10:00 AM
Breakout Sessions
1. English Language Proficiency Assessment: Updates, Insights, and Opportunities - Kari-Ann Ediger
2. Success Stories from the Field: Practical Strategies for Strengthening Idaho's Migrant Education Program - Roberto Trinidad, Thomas Kennedy, Sterling Blackwell, Heather Larue
3. Accessibility Needs Assessment: Your voice, Your experience - Samantha Thompson, Molly Faulkner-Bond
4. Title II-A Best Practices: From Planning to Implementation - Carol Roessler
5. Technical Assistance
10:15 - 11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions
1. High Needs Fund Application & Tracking - Lisa Pofelski-Rosa, Andrew Konopacky
2. Tribal Education Agency/State Education Agency Consortium STEP Grant - Joyce McFarland
3. English Learner Identification: Strengthening Local Procedures and Practices - Kari-Ann Ediger, Emma San, Jill Ayabei
4. Title I-A Overview - Michelle Perreira
5. Technical Assistance
11:15 - 12:15 pm
Whole Group
The Right Tool for the Job: Matching Assessments to Purpose
12:15 - 1:45 pM
Lunch on Your Own
1:45 - 2:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
1. Maintenance of Effort & IDEA Part B Final Application - Andrew Konopacky
2. Supporting Special Populations: English Learners, Children of Migrant Families, and Students Experiencing Homelessness - Pt 1 - Emily Kesler, Roberto Trinidad, Emma San
3. Understanding Before Deciding: Leading Meaningful Initial Evaluations - Sterling Fitch, Katrina Rodabaugh, IPUL
4. How to Have a Successful Monitoring Review - Lisa English
5. Technical Assistance
2:45 - 3:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
1. Their Future, Their Plan: Secondary Transition - Randi Cole, ICIE Center Staff
2. Supporting Special Populations: English Learners, Children of Migrant Families, and Students Experiencing Homelessness - Pt 2- Emily Kesler, Roberto Trinidad, Emma San
3. Bridging the Gap Between Curriculum and Assessment - Austin Ambrose
4. Title I-A Family and Community Engagement Overview - Michelle Perreira
5. Technical Assistance
3:45 - 4:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
1. Special Education Early Dispute Resolution - Elizabeth Congdon
2. Understanding Title II-A: An Overview - Carol Roessler
3. English Learner Assessment Exemptions - Kari-Ann Ediger, Kacy Proctor
4. Title I-D Basics and Best Practices to Support Justice-Involved Students - Emily Kesler, Ann Croll, Dan Montgomery, Raina Patterson, Kathleen Schatz, Tonya Wilkes
5. Technical Assistance
Thursday Schedule
7:00 - 8:00 AM
Registration
8:00 -9:00 AM
Whole group
Accessibility Guidance: A Collaborative Review
9:15 - 10:00 AM
Breakout Sessions
1. Dancing Partners: A Look at Dual Enrollment - Jacque Hyatt, Sterling Fitch, Katrina Rodabaugh
2. Title IV-A: What You Don't Know, But Will - Patty Dalrymple
3. Alternate and Alternative: Knowing the Difference Matters - Stacie Rekow, Kacy Proctor, Kari-Ann Ediger
4. From Connections to Careers: Idaho Pathways to Partnerships - Randi Cole, ICIE Center Staff
5. Technical Assistance
10:15 - 11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions
1. Child Count Overview - Cynthia Mecham, Terry Uda
2. Matching Assessments to Purpose-Amber Van Vooren
3. Dynamic Learning Maps Implementation: Lessons Learned (Roundtable) - Stacie Rekow
4. What's New in EdPlan? Current Features, Future Enhancements, & Your Feedback - Shannon Dunstan, Kelly Hall, Megan Gonzales, David O'Leary
5. Technical Assistance
11:15 - 12:00 pM
Breakout Sessions
1. IdahoSTRIDE: Building a Connected System of Support - Shannon Dunstan
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Equitable Services-Lisa English
3. Cross-Department & LEA Collaboration: Team Time (Roundtable)
4. IDCTE Initiatives: Petya Stoyanova, Jennifer Pope
5. School Improvement- Let's Make It Better - Patty Dalrymple
12:00 - 1:00 pM
Whole group
ESEA Program Updates & Federal Flexibilities
Location
Nampa Civic Center
311 3rd St S, Nampa, ID
311 3rd St S, Nampa, ID