Curriculum-Based Professional Learning Symposium
Join Learning Forward for a two-day event that will help you integrate curriculum-based professional learning into instructional practice. Through hands-on experiences, attendees will adopt strategies to support implementing high-quality instructional materials with integrity to an instructional model. Collaboration and reflective practice are key components of this symposium, as participants will assess their current use of curriculum-based professional learning, engage in meaningful dialogue with peers, and create action plans for improvement.
Watch this video featuring districts from Learning Forward’s Curriculum Based Professional Learning (CBPL) Network to see how curriculum-based professional learning positively affected their teaching and learning of middle school mathematics and teacher and student success.
Sponsor
Meals sponsored in part by
Symposium Overview
Through collaborative learning within and across district and state teams, participants will explore how high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) impact student engagement and achievement; examine the essential components of curriculum-based professional learning that support effective use of HQIM; experience instructional materials as a learner to help shape their practice as educators; and collaboratively reflect to help improve their use of HQIM and enhance instructional practices.
This symposium will include content from expert network facilitators as well as participants in current and past CBPL Networks. You will work toward a shared goal with districts from across the country to increase the effectiveness of curriculum-based professional learning and positively affect teaching and learning.
Learning Objectives
- Learn how CBPL can help realize the potential of their HQCIM;
- Enhance their expertise in analyzing, describing, and delivering Curriculum-Based Professional Learning;
- Gain insights from both the learner and educator perspective by experiencing curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL);
- Hear examples of practitioners who drove systems change through professional learning that supports teachers' use of high-quality curriculum, including designing student-centered instruction and peer collaboration;
- Engage in collaborative activities and reflective discussions to assess their current use of HQIM and plan for improvement in their instructional practices;
- Learn the value of and strategies for providing CBPL through a network model.
Who is this for?
District-level professional learning leaders; district directors/technical service providers supporting instruction and curriculum; superintendents, assistant superintendents, and chief academic officers; regional and state agency leaders, including instructional, curriculum implementation specialists, are encouraged to attend. Team participation is strongly encouraged.
Why should I attend?
This event will help you align the practices of high-quality professional learning and collaborative continuous improvement in all learning environments, and provide you with concrete, evidence-based next steps to demonstrate shared responsibility for improving learning for all students.
Day 1 Agenda
Morning
Welcome & Community Building
High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) & High-Quality Professional Learning (HQPL)
How do we define HQIM and HQPL? What are the characteristics? How does HQPL support implementation of high-quality curriculum and instructional materials?
Introduction to Curriculum-based Professional Learning (CBPL)
What is CBPL and why is it necessary for effective implementation of high-quality curriculum and instructional materials?
What does CBPL look like and feel like? How is it making a difference?
The Challenge of Change and Curriculum Implementation
How do educators experience the change process? How does CBPL support change management as educators enact new instructional materials?
Afternoon
Phases of Curriculum Implementation
What are the various phases of implementation? How does CBPL support change management through the phases?
Practical Strategies for CBPL
How do you use CBPL to address the challenges of curriculum implementation?
Day 2 Agenda
Morning
Welcome & Reconnect
A CBPL Experience
What might educators experience during CBPL? What is learned when educators experience the curriculum as a student?
Measuring CBPL
How do you measure and monitor the effectiveness of CBPL?
Afternoon
Improving the System: Culture of Collaborative Inquiry and the Role of Leaders
How do you improve the system? How do you lead collaboration?
The Role and Function of Learning Networks
How might you leverage a learning network to support curriculum-based professional learning?
Planning for Action
What are the immediate next steps your districts will put into action?
Reflection and Closure
Hotel Recommendations
Coming Soon
Facilitators:
Michelle A. Bowman is senior vice president of networks and continuous improvement at Learning Forward. She engages in and executes cross-organizational strategic thinking, especially through the strategy of networks and communities of practice, that supports state and local education agencies committed to professional development redesign and oversees the development of content and learning designs that support organizations capacity to engage in continuous improvement processes. With more than 30 years in public education, she has her doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change. Prior to joining Learning Forward Michelle served in leadership at the district, campus, and classroom levels.
Shannon Bogle is the senior director for networks and the Academy at Learning Forward. She designs networks and content, builds capacity in state and district educators through network coaching, and manages the strategy and operations for the Academy. A 2019 Learning Forward Academy graduate, Shannon is also a certified as an instructional coach through the Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida. She has more than twenty years in K-12 education as a teacher, instructional coach, and supervisor in Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida. Most recently, Shannon served as a professional development supervisor for the Transformation Network.
Elizabeth Foster is the senior vice president of research and strategy at Learning Forward. She leads the organization’s research efforts for partnerships, programs, and fundraising. Elizabeth co-wrote the Standards for Professional Learning (2022) and facilitates learning sessions about the standards and develops resources that support their use and implementation. She contributes to the design, facilitation, and evaluation of networks. Prior to Learning Forward, Elizabeth was the vice president of strategic initiatives at the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF). Her published work includes studies on teacher recruitment, preparation, and professional learning; teacher shortages; and professional learning communities.
