As a school psychologist, staying current on the latest research and strategies is essential for supporting students, teachers, and your school community. Conferences in 2026 offer a unique chance to learn about cutting-edge developments in student mental health, behavior interventions, special education law, and more – all while networking with peers who share your challenges and passion.
But with many events to choose from, how do you decide which are worth your time and PD budget? This guide spotlights five top conferences for K–12 school psychologists in 2026 and what makes each stand out. You’ll find key details and practical tips to help you plan a meaningful professional development experience
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1. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Annual Convention
Overview: The NASP Annual Convention is the flagship conference for school psychologists in the U.S., drawing thousands of practitioners, faculty, and graduate students each year. This is the largest gathering of school psychologists nationwide, offering a deep dive into almost every aspect of school psychology – from student mental health and behavior interventions to assessment techniques and crisis response.
Quick Facts:
- Dates: February 24–27, 2026 (Wednesday–Friday)
- Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago, IL
- Website: https://www.nasponline.org/professional-development/nasp-annual-convention-x105
Why Attend?
- Nation’s Premier School Psych Conference: Gain exposure to the latest research and evidence-based practices in the field. NASP’s program includes hundreds of sessions on topics like trauma-informed care, MTSS, and crisis intervention, ensuring you stay current on cutting-edge approaches.
- Unmatched Networking: Connect with thousands of fellow school psychologists from across the country. Whether in workshops, poster sessions, or social events, you’ll build a professional network to exchange ideas and resources.
- Broad Professional Development: With its breadth of content, NASP offers something for everyone: sharpen assessment skills, learn new behavioral intervention techniques, get updates on legal and ethical standards, and even explore sessions outside your usual role.
2. California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) Annual Convention
Overview: The CASP Annual Convention is one of the largest state-level school psychology conferences in the country, and a must for practitioners in California. CASP’s event offers a more regionally focused experience than NASP, concentrating on California’s specific education context, laws, and student populations. Attendees can expect specialized training sessions, legal and ethical updates for California school psychs, and interactive workshops on intervention strategies.
Quick Facts:
- Dates: October 15–17, 2026 (there is one in October 2025 – previous article)
- Location: Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City – Universal City, CA
- Website: https://casponline.org/events/
Why Attend?
- Stay Current on California Policy & Law: California leads the nation in many education initiatives and also has unique state laws affecting practice.
- Practical Skills and Best Practices: The convention offers many hands-on workshops and evidence-based strategy sessions.
- Local Networking & Community: CASP has a friendly, collegial atmosphere. You’ll be surrounded by fellow school psychologists from districts large and small across California.
3. Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders (MSLBD)
Overview: The MSLBD Symposium is a specialized conference focused on improving outcomes for students with behavior disorders and emotional/behavioral challenges. Attendees include school psychologists, special education teachers, behavior specialists, and administrators who work with students with significant behavioral needs. The atmosphere is very practitioner-oriented – you’ll find workshops on real-world interventions, success stories from classrooms, and authentic discussions of challenges.
Quick Facts:
- Dates: March 5–7, 2026 (Thursday–Saturday)
- Location: Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center – Kansas City, MO
- Website: https://mslbd.org/symposium-conference/2026-symposium.html
Why Attend?
- Behavior Expertise and Specialization: This symposium is laser-focused on behavior. If you want to deepen your skill set in FBA/BIPs, classroom behavior management, or interventions for students with serious emotional disturbances, MSLBD delivers concentrated expertise.
- Hands-On Learning: Many sessions at MSLBD are interactive or workshop-style. For example, you might participate in a mock behavior team meeting, analyze real student case data, or practice de-escalation techniques.
- Community and Support: Attendees often remark that this conference feels like a gathering of colleagues who truly understand the challenges of behavior support roles.
4. Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) Conference
Overview: The APBS Conference is the premier international conference on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) across all settings. This event brings together not only school practitioners but also researchers, family representatives, and community professionals—all focused on improving behavior outcomes through positive strategies.
Quick Facts:
- Dates: March 11–13, 2026 (Wednesday–Friday)
- Location: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN
- Website: https://apbs2026.eventscribe.net/
Why Attend?
- Deep Dive into PBIS & MTSS: APBS is the conference to get fully immersed in positive behavior support strategies. You’ll gain insight into every layer of PBIS/MTSS implementation – from tweaking classroom management techniques to refining district-wide frameworks.
- Innovation and Research-Based Strategies: Because APBS draws many researchers and thought leaders, you’ll be exposed to new developments in the field of behavior support.
- Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives: Unlike some K–12-specific conferences, APBS brings together not just school staff but also community and family perspectives. This broadens your understanding of how behavior support extends beyond the classroom. School psychologists can benefit from networking and partnering with fellow clinicians who are also focused on helping students thrive and achieving positive outcomes.
5. Innovative Schools Summit (Selected 2026 Events)
Overview: The Innovative Schools Summit isn’t a single conference but a series of K–12 education conferences held throughout 2025–2026 in multiple U.S. cities. Each Summit event is a multi-conference extravaganza – a single registration gives you access to several themed conferences happening at once.
Quick Facts:
- Multiple Dates & Locations: New York, NY – February 25–28, 2026; Orlando, FL – March 12–15, 2026; Las Vegas, NV – July 6–10, 2026; Nashville, TN – July 25–29, 2026.
- Website: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/
Why Attend?
- Pick Your Focus – It’s Multiple Conferences in One: The greatest strength of the Summit is the ability to tailor your learning across multiple themes. Unlike a single-topic conference, here you can mix and match.
- Practical, Classroom-Tested Strategies: The Summit prides itself on featuring practitioners who have “been there, done that” in challenging school environments. You are learning from educators who increased graduation rates at an alternative school, or reduced suspensions by 50% through restorative practices.
- Inspiration and Renewal: Working in education can lead to burnout. The Summit is known for its high-energy, inspirational keynotes by thought leaders, authors, or even famous motivational figures. These talks can rekindle your passion and remind you why we do what we do.
2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for professional growth in school psychology. The five conferences highlighted here – from the national NASP convention to specialized forums on behavior and positive support – each offer unique opportunities to deepen your expertise and rejuvenate your practice. By planning ahead and selecting the event that best matches your goals, you’re investing in skills and connections that will ultimately benefit the students and schools you serve.
