75th NC Conference on Exceptional Children 2026

The Annual Conference on Exceptional Children, hosted by the Office of Exceptional Children of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, is a collegial event designed to foster sharing and learning about innovations and exciting practices to help exceptional children achieve. The conference aims to increase the performance of students with disabilities, thereby enhancing their ability to graduate and achieve productive post-secondary outcomes. Activities include an uplifting Plenary Session with an inspiring keynote presentation, over 90 informative Instructional Sessions covering the broad spectrum of exceptional children education, an Educators of Excellence reception honoring outstanding North Carolina special educators, a Poster Display of innovative programs and practices, a School-Based Enterprise Bazaar showcasing products created and marketed by North Carolina Public School students with disabilities, and an Exhibitor/Vendor area for interactions with organizations and companies specializing in serving exceptional children. The theme for this year is "Brilliant Past. Bold Future: 75 Years of Exceptional Children."