The Call for Speakers for Spring Forward 2027 Is Now Closed
Speaker Decisions and Agenda Timeline
The call for speakers for Spring Forward 2027 closed September 11, 2026. Thank you to everyone who submitted.
- If you proposed a session, we emailed you with a decision on October 26.
Questions about your submission or the review process?
Submission Timeline
Submissions Open
July 1, 2026
Speaker Submission Support Webinar
July 30, 2026
Submissions Close
September 11, 2026
Primary Review
September 18, 2026
Primary Review Complete
October 2, 2026
Secondary Review
October 7, 2026
Secondary Review Complete
October 16, 2026
Speaker Notification
October 26, 2026
Speaker Confirmation Deadline
December 7, 2026
Speaker Webinar
February 25, 2027
Speaker Fee
- Primary speakers who are current CALIE Members receive conference registration at a $100 rate.
- Co-speakers pay the full conference registration fee. No transfers or substitutions.
- CALIE does not provide travel or hotel accommodations.
Effective Technology for Teaching and Learning
Spring Forward 2027 will feature sessions that demonstrate thoughtful, learner-centered, and evidence-informed uses of technology that positively impact teaching and learning in real-world practice. Strong submissions are grounded in authentic classroom, school, district, or organizational implementation and show how technology supported more intentional, effective, equitable, accessible, or sustainable learning experiences.
CALIE’s Effective Technology Guidelines help educators, schools, and districts evaluate, measure, and improve the effectiveness and impact of educational technology. They are designed to help educators ask better questions:
- Is this technology improving learning?
- Is it supporting teaching?
- Is it worth the time, investment, and effort?
Every proposal identifies which domain of the Effective Technology Guidelines the session addresses: Learning Impact and Engagement, Instructional Practice and Design, Evidence of Outcomes and Improvement, Access and Learning Conditions, or Data, Ethics & Sustainability. Domain alignment is part of the scoring rubric, so choose the domain your session most directly serves.
Before you open the form, draft your responses in the proposal template and study the exemplar submission, an annotated real proposal that scored 28 out of 28 on the rubric.
Session Scoring Rubric
All Spring Forward 2027 session proposals will be reviewed against a scoring rubric. Reviewers are CALIE members who evaluate each submission for quality, relevance, and fit. If you’re interested in serving as a session reviewer, please submit here. You must be an active CALIE member to review sessions.
Spring Forward Audiences
- Early Learning Educators (PreK-2)
- Elementary Educators (Grades 3-5)
- Middle School Educators (Grades 6-8)
- High School Educators (Grades 9-12)
- Adult and Continuing Education
- Higher Education Faculty and Researchers
- Special Education, Assistive Technology Specialists, and Resource Teachers
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Pathways Teachers
- Curriculum and Instruction Leaders, Digital Learning Specialists, and Learning Support Specialists
- Instructional Coaches, TOSAs, and School Counselors
Why Speak at Spring Forward?
Spring Forward brings together thousands of California educators each year. Speaking here means your work reaches the classrooms that need it most.
- Share classroom-tested practices with educators across California
- Connect with a community of innovators pushing learning forward
- Build your professional reputation and network
- Contribute to a field reimagining what school can look like
Speakers FAQ
Proposals and decisions
Can I still submit a proposal?
No. The call for speakers for Spring Forward 2027 closed September 11, 2026. If you’d like to hear when the call opens for our next conference, sign up for CALIE updates.
When will I hear back about my proposal?
We emailed every submitter with a decision on October 26, 2026. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder, then contact us.
Can I get feedback on my proposal?
Individual reviewer scores and comments are not shared. This year’s selection was highly competitive, and many strong proposals could not be accommodated. If you have questions about your submission, contact us.
My session wasn’t selected. Can I still attend?
Yes, and we hope you will. Registration is $485 for CALIE members and $693 for non-members. Register.
How can I become a session reviewer?
Active CALIE members can apply to review sessions using the reviewer interest form for future conferences.
Registration and travel
What do I need to do next?
Log into the speaker portal, go to My Tasks, and complete the Speaker Acceptance Task by December 7, 2026. Sessions not confirmed by December 7 will be removed from the program. Then register as a speaker using the link and discount code in your acceptance email, and book your hotel. Your acceptance email also includes a Speaker Toolkit with templates to announce your session to your networks.
Do speakers receive discounted rates?
Primary speakers who are active CALIE members register at a discounted $100 rate, using the code in their acceptance email. Co-speakers do not receive discounted registration. No transfers or substitutions. Speaker registration must be completed by December 7, 2026.
Do my co-speakers need to register?
Yes. Every co-speaker registers and pays the full conference rate, and the primary speaker is responsible for sharing the registration link with them. Co-speakers who register with the primary speaker discount will have their registration canceled.
Does CALIE cover travel or hotel?
No. CALIE does not provide travel or hotel accommodations for speakers. Accepted primary speakers do receive access to a dedicated speaker hotel block; the booking link is in your acceptance email. General hotel and travel details are on the Housing page.
Preparing for your session
When will I know my session date and time?
Your session date and time are already scheduled and visible in your speaker portal once you log in.
Can I request a specific day or time?
No. Sessions are already scheduled, and we are unable to accommodate scheduling requests or changes.
How long is my session, and what setup/equipment is provided?
Sessions are 60 minutes. Every session room is equipped with:
– Screen and projector
– Podium microphone
– Wireless microphone
– Participant Q&A microphone, sponsored by Qball
Bring your own laptop with an HDMI port or adapter. Extra adapters are not guaranteed. We provide a dedicated Wi-Fi network for speakers, but bandwidth may be limited, so avoid streaming video or presenting from Canva.
Can I update my session title or description?
Your title and description are what reviewers scored and accepted, so we keep changes to a minimum. If you need a minor update, email info@joincalie.org and we’ll review it case by case.
Where do I share my slides and handouts if I have materials for session attendees?
Upload your slides and session resources in your speaker portal by March 3, 2027. Attendees who added your session to their schedule in the app can access your materials once your session ends, so they can keep using your content after the conference. We also strongly recommend bringing a downloaded, offline copy of your presentation in case of internet issues.
What if I can’t present?
Email info@joincalie.org as soon as possible. Speaker registrations are non-refundable, and per the Conference Registration Cancellation & Payment Policy, a speaker who cancels within 60 days of the conference start remains responsible for all registration fees and is ineligible to apply to present at the following year’s conference.
Can I promote a product in my session?
No. Speaker sessions are for sharing practice with fellow educators, so please don’t sell or pitch products during your session. If your organization wants to showcase a product to Spring Forward attendees, exhibit booths and sponsored sessions are the place for it. Sponsored sessions are approved by CALIE and still need to offer educational value, not a sales pitch. See the Exhibitor & Sponsor FAQ or the Exhibitor & Sponsorship Prospectus.
Questions?
The call for speakers is now closed. If you have questions about your proposal or the review process, reach out and we will help.