Professional Development

This series includes a summer kick-off event followed by a series of topic-specific convenings that focus on challenges to implementing a district-wide system of Linked Learning pathways. Topics include building a broad-based community coalition; developing, expanding, and improving pathways; supporting curriculum integration and project-based instruction; recruiting, training, and retaining qualified staff; supporting work-based learning; building a k-8 feeder system; scheduling to support Linked Learning; aligning with postsecondary; funding Linked Learning; planning facilities; and more. Participants also have access to online networking through a professional learning community of superintendents and other district administrators.

This series includes a summer kick-off event followed by a series of topic-specific convenings that focus on challenges to designing and implementing pathways at a school site. Topics include building and sustaining a professional learning community that fosters teacher collaboration; creating a master schedule to support pathways; creating a distributive leadership model; supporting curriculum integration and project-based instruction; using data to drive instruction; creating a system of student support services; working with industry and postsecondary partners; building a system of work-based learning experiences; and more. Participants also have access to online networking through a professional learning community of principals and other site administrators.

This series includes a summer kick-off event followed by a series of train-the-trainer sessions designed to facilitate the successful design and development of pathways. Training sessions focus on creating a common vision, theme, and culture; developing models for effective teacher collaboration; establishing a personalized learning environment; designing a rigorous and relevant academic core; building a demanding technical sequence of courses; establishing processes for identification, placement, monitoring, and evaluation of students in high quality work-based learning experiences; ensuring ample and appropriate student support services; and more. Participants also have access to online networking through a professional learning community of pathway directors and lead teachers.

ConnectEd offers 10 multidisciplinary integrated curriculum units written around biomedical and health science themes. In this full day workshop, teacher teams are introduced to the ConnectEd model of integrated curriculum by participating in a small portion of one of the units, including hands-on activities for each of the subject areas. The workshop also includes an overview of all the units, covering major concepts, activities, and culminating projects. The workshop concludes with a structured process for planning implementation. It is strongly suggested that as many members of the teacher team attend together as possible.

ConnectEd had developed integrated curriculum units for each of four engineering classes: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Civil Engineering and Architecture. For each course teachers participate in a daylong workshop that prepares them to implement the associated integrated units. In the workshop, teachers review the primary academic concepts covered, participate in hands-on activities of all the major assignments of the unit, particularly the culminating project, and discuss strategies for overcoming implementation barriers. It is strongly suggested that as many members of the teacher team attend together as possible.

ConnectEd has developed a project-based pre-algebra bridge curriculum intended to reinforce fundamental math skills and concepts students may lack when they enter high school. This three day workshop prepares math teachers to implement the curriculum through building each of the five hands-on projects, discussing the math concepts tied to each project, learning different ways to teach those concepts, and planning for implementation at their own school sites.

For teacher teams that wish to develop their own integrated units, ConnectEd offers a range of workshops (one day to one week) that will guide teams through the curriculum development process with varying levels of support. All workshops include sessions on curriculum mapping, selection of appropriate and relevant topics and driving questions, standards alignment, and culminating project development, as well as discussion of various issues surrounding integrated curriculum implementation. It is strongly suggested that as many members of the teacher team attend together as possible.

ConnectEd assists universities in offering programs that prepare teacher candidates with the unique skills and knowledge needed to teach effectively in pathways. In such programs, teacher candidates learn to incorporate real-world applications into academic courses, develop partnerships with local businesses, and connect classroom learning to students’ work-based learning opportunities, among other skills. Currently, four California State University campuses (Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Bernardino) offer such teacher preparation programs. ConnectEd is providing professional development and technical support to the universities and participating students; developing a web portal to support participants; and coordinating and hosting visits for stakeholders at pathway demonstration sites.