IMA Global Summit Agenda
Priority Deadline: February 6, 2026
Submission Deadline: February 20, 2026
A Conference Like No Other
Move beyond passive learning. Summit sessions are interactive, team-focused, and designed to bridge research to practice. Your team will:
Apply research through hands-on, actionable sessions
Solve real MTSS implementation challenges
Address knowledge gaps and misconceptions
Build team-aligned action plans for lasting impact
Summit time is dedicated to problem-solving and collaborative learning, ensuring deeper, sustained outcomes for your school, district, or state team.
Your Complete Agenda: Pre-Summit, Summit, and Beyond
March 2026: Pre-Summit Learning
Begin your Summit experience before you arrive. Access pre-Summit session content—live or recorded—to review key research, frameworks, and foundational concepts in advance. This early engagement allows your team to begin applying insights to your own school or district context, identify implementation questions, and arrive prepared for deeper problem-solving. Use this time to connect with Summit partners, MTSS experts, and fellow attendees, building relationships and shared momentum before the Summit officially begins.
Wednesday, July 29th, 2026
4:00–6:00 PM | Leading Together: Pre-Summit Welcome Reception
Kick off the IMA Global Summit with a dynamic networking event designed for educational leadership teams at all levels—site, district, and state/region.
In partnership with Capturing Kids’ Hearts, whose mission is to help leaders create great schools by fostering strong, welcoming environments, we’ll extend that same spirit to you at this reception. Enjoy a warm, engaging space designed to spark connections, collaboration, and inspiration.
Connect with your team, colleagues from around the world, and members of the IMA Advisory Council
Engage directly with MTSS experts and session presenters
Explore the Summit agenda and plan your personalized learning experience
All Global Summit presenters will be in attendance—an exclusive opportunity to interact and exchange ideas ahead of the sessions.
Honoring our Foundational Sponsors
Your support makes this all possible.
Thursday, July 30th, 2026
8:30-9:15 AM [PST]
Welcome & Keynote Address
Start the Summit with a warm welcome and an inspiring keynote on MTSS as the Science of School Improvement. Our selected speaker will highlight evidence-based strategies, leadership insights, and practical approaches to drive meaningful change in schools and districts around the world.
9:30-10:45 AM [PST]
Partners in Practice (PIP) Sessions
Co-facilitated by IMA Invited Speakers and spotlight schools, these sessions highlight real MTSS implementation journeys, including the challenges faced and results achieved. Each session offers consultation for school, district, or state-level teams before and after the IMA Global Summit.
11:00-11:45 PM [PST]
MTSS in Focus: Panel Discussions
Dynamic panels bring together educational leaders and MTSS experts to examine pressing topics across Behavior/SEL, Language & Literacy, and Integrated MTSS. Grounded in evidence and practice, these sessions clarify what works, why it works, and address common misconceptions—offering practical guidance for leaders.
12:00-1:00 PM [PST]
Lunch & Learn: Roundtable Connections
During our lunch break, connect with presenters and MTSS experts at designated tables for small-group discussions and practical guidance.
Teams of 10 or more can reserve a table in advance.
1:15-2:30 PM
Facilitated Problem-Solving Sessions
Before the Summit, IMA Invited Speakers share content through live and recorded webinars, allowing participants to preview material and begin application. During the Summit, fishbowl sessions allow attendees observe expert consultation as presenters reflect on implementation wins, challenges, and next steps.
2:45-3:45 PM
The Human AI: Ask the Experts
If the Science of Reading has taught us anything, it’s that educational researchers matter. Bring your toughest MTSS challenges and receive real-time guidance from leading experts—in person or through our virtual platform. Teams can send a runner, join a consultation space, or engage during team planning time to address fidelity, measurement, scaling, and implementation strategies.
4:00-6:00 PM
School Spotlight Poster Reception
Explore MTSS implementation & outcomes at the ground level through school-led poster presentations. Each poster highlights a single essential MTSS component, showcasing practical strategies, lessons learned, and real-world impact from schools doing the work every day.
Friday, July 31st, 2026
8:30-9:15 AM [PST]
State of Educational Science: Advancing MTSS Research & Implementation
Led by MTSS research experts, this session synthesizes insights from across the Summit—including poster sessions and practitioner-led discussions. IMA advisors highlight key themes, notable findings, and valuable resources shared throughout the conference, and identify priority research questions and collective next steps to advance MTSS practice and impact.
9:30-10:45 PM [PST]
Partners in Practice (PIP) Sessions
Co-facilitated by IMA Invited Speakers and spotlight schools, these sessions highlight real MTSS implementation journeys, including the challenges faced and results achieved. Each session offers consultation for school, district, or state-level teams before and after the IMA Global Summit.
12:30-1:30 PM [PST]
Lunch & Learn: Research Briefings
During lunch, enjoy research briefings paired with small-group discussions. Connect with presenters and MTSS experts at designated tables to ask questions, apply insights to your own context, and receive practical guidance. Teams of 10 or more can reserve a table in advance to ensure dedicated space for collaboration and planning.
11:00-12:15 PM
Facilitated Problem-Solving Sessions
Before the Summit, invited speakers share content through live and recorded webinars, allowing participants to preview material and begin application. During the Summit, fishbowl sessions allow attendees observe expert consultation as presenters reflect on implementation wins, challenges, and next steps.
1:45-3:30 PM
Implementation-in-Action Labs
Move your MTSS planning from insight to action in these expert-led implementation labs. Each session pairs a research expert with an implementation consultant to help teams tackle a real MTSS challenge—such as strengthening core instruction, improving Tier 2 fidelity, using data effectively, or aligning tiered supports. Teams plan and pressure-test strategies while receiving guidance to prevent common implementation breakdowns and support sustained improvement beyond the Summit.
*Agenda is subject to change.
Join Us for the IMA Awards Gala
Friday, July 31st, 2026 @ 5:30 PM PST
Join us for a special evening to celebrate the official launch of the Journal of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (JMTSS), the first peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing MTSS research and practice worldwide.
The evening will also honor exceptional leaders through the inaugural MTSS Hall of Fame Inductions, recognizing individuals and organizations whose work has made a lasting impact on educational systems, leadership capacity, and learner outcomes.
This special fundraising event for IMA will become an annual tradition — providing a critical space to celebrate those who have shaped the field and continue to advance evidence-based leadership and implementation worldwide.
Saturday, August 1st, 2026
Extended Learning Workshops - Additional Registration Required
8:30 AM–3:00 PM | Extended Learning Workshops
These full-day, hands-on workshops are designed to help teams move from theory to practice—providing the tools, strategies, and frameworks needed to drive meaningful school improvement. Participants will engage directly with experts, collaborate with peers, and work through real-world challenges in an interactive, applied setting. A 45-minute lunch break is included. Workshop topics and separate registration will be available beginning February 1st.
Anticipated topics include (but are not limited to):
Science of Reading for Leaders – What every leader should know
Secondary MTSS – How to implement for schools just starting
Staff Wellness & Culture Transformation – Building conditions for improvement
Reading and Math Interventions – Evidence-based strategies that work
Implementation & Fidelity Rubrics – How to measure, monitor, and continuously improve student outcomes
Plan to bring a team—all workshops are interactive and engaging, ensuring participants leave with actionable tools to implement immediately.
Register Early and Save Big!
-
(Extreme) Early Bird Registration! $395
For the bold & committed. Lock in our lowest price before the venue is even announced. If you know the IMA Global Summit will be amazing (maybe you participated back in 2019 or 2020), this is your tier! Limited quantity—when it’s gone, it’s gone.
-
Early Bird Registration - $575
Plan ahead, save big. Secure your spot at a reduced rate and get first access to program updates, speaker drops, and travel tips as they roll out. Available when (Extreme) Early Bird tickets sell out. Ends March 1st, 2026.
-
Standard Registration - $745
Join the movement. Full access to the two-day Global Summit experience—evidence, insight, and connections to move your educational system forward. Team discounts will available during this time.
Sponsoring Partnership: Levels & Benefits
-
Bronze Level Sponsor
Bronze Partner – $5,000 annually
Logo placement on IMA website partner page
Recognition as a Bronze Sponsor at IMA conferences
Discounted registration for one staff member to attend IMA Global Summit
Access to some IMA organizational partner networking events
-
Silver Level Sponsor
Silver Partner – $10,000 annually
Logo displayed on IMA website and select digital communications
Recognition as a Silver Sponsor at IMA conferences
Discounted exhibit table at IMA Global Summit
Discounted registration for up to two staff members at the IMA Global Summit
Mention in Annual IMA Partner Recognition List
Access to some IMA organizational partner networking events
-
Gold Level Sponsor
Gold Partner – $25,000 annually
Prominent logo placement on IMA website and digital communications
Recognition as a Gold Sponsor at IMA Global Summit
Complimentary exhibit table at one IMA Summit
One free conference registration
Highlight in a quarterly IMA Partner Spotlight
Invitations to exclusive networking events with researchers and thought leaders
-
Platinum Level Sponsor
Platinum Partner – $50,000 annually
Premier logo placement on IMA website, newsletters, and global communications (international reach)
Recognition as a Platinum Sponsor at all IMA events and IMA Global Summit
Complimentary exhibit table and two registrations for IMA Global Summit
Featured partner spotlight in an IMA publication or webinar
Opportunity to co-host a webinar or panel session with IMA experts
Priority consideration for collaborative research or policy initiatives
We’ll see you soon—wherever you are.
Catch us when we’re in your part of the world; virtual attendance will always be available.
July 2027: Bangkok, Thailand
July 2028: East Coast, USA
July 2029: Western Europe
July 2030: West Coast, USA