Course Catalog

Texas ASCD is committed to being the premier source for information and resources for Texas educators, specifically about teaching, learning, and leadership topics.

Texas ASCD provides its members with quality professional learning throughout the year, including two statewide conferences.

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Topic

Type

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Assessment for Learning: A Proven Strategy for Closing the Achievement Gap

Assessment

Why do students shut down during the learning process? What motivates them to learn and believe in their ability to succeed in school? This academy is designed for districts and/or campus leadership teams to understand why a balanced assessment system is necessary to close the achievement gap and create a learning culture for all students.

During the two-day academy, participants will learn from two experienced campus and district leaders about:

1) how to design an assessment system where teachers and students view assessment FOR learning and assessment OF learning as part of the teaching and learning process;

2) how to address the current learning loss of student also known as the COVID slide; and

3) how this assessment system can transform all students into life-long learners.

Curriculum Design Academy

Curriculum

Multi-day Academy

No matter the size of your district, each must address the same curriculum challenges. For both central office personnel and teachers, each district needs staff members trained to answer the following challenges:

• How does the district ensure that teachers are provided a guaranteed and viable curriculum?
• How does the district ensure that curriculum writers are adequately trained to design and evaluate the district’s curriculum?

This academy will provide your team with a deeper understanding of curriculum design and the ability to determine the essential components of a quality curriculum.

During the two-day academy, participants will learn from highly experienced leaders who have developed curriculum and have lead curriculum departments for years:
• How to organize and manage curriculum design teams;
• How to design curriculum documents and clarification documents that are aligned to standards; and,
• How to develop a district plan to address both the scope and quality of curriculum design work while using guiding examples.

In addition to the curriculum design learning, teams will begin their work on budgets, schedules, and training plans to take back to their districts. From the basics to advanced topics, attendees will gain experience and a greater understanding of the benefits of a quality district curriculum.

This is a two-day virtual or in-person program.

Curriculum Leadership Academy

Multi-day Academy

Are you leading school improvement, curriculum development, or working to transform learning for the digital student? If so, Texas ASCD’s Curriculum Leadership Academy is for you!

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Develop a Growth Mindset-Oriented Mathematics Program Through Productive Struggle and Perseverance

Growth Mindset

One-day Institute

This professional learning opportunity focuses on the current growth mindset research with an emphasis on mathematics. Participants will explore how Cultural Shifts impact the development of a growth mindset and will receive a list of 25 strategies designed to promote a growth mindset. Support activities will also be given to participants to help will the implementation of the strategies. The value of productive struggle will be explored, and reflective practices and specific ways to promote perseverance (grit) will be shared.

This is a one-day virtual program.

Five Day Math – Rigorous Assessment Strategies for STAAR Mathematics: Before, During and After Instruction

Mathematics

Multi-day Academy

Presenter: Beatrice Luchin

This 5-day academy is designed to provide participants with instructional and assessment strategies that target struggling students in the content area of mathematics. The academy will focus on the strategic use of graphic organizers (both teacher-directed and student-directed arrangements) and assessment strategies that can be used to complement existing programs and curriculum already in place. Participants will be provided planning time to develop plans that incorporate the use of Graphic Organizers and STAAR Assessment Strategies for current and upcoming topics of instruction during each session.

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Graphic Organizers: Participants will learn the components of graphic organizers, how to use graphic organizers within classroom routines to assist students in organizing and retaining information. For example, they will see how the use of a sequence diagram can help students represent sequential processes of an algorithm and solve a mathematical problem. Research indicates that use of Graphic Organizers is effective for helping elementary, middle school and secondary students organize and remember content area information, help students develop higher level thinking skills and promote creativity.
Assessment Strategies: Participants will be engaged in discussions and activities that address formative classroom assessment designed for both individual tasks and cooperative group tasks. These assessment options are designed to (1) increase students’ understanding of concepts through verbal interaction with peers, (2) provide feedback to the instructor on the cognitive processes students use to answer questions, (3) reinforce the classroom learning environment, and (4) model a variety of assessment methods. Because group work is targeted, additional strategies for forming groups quickly and efficiently and, at the same time, to vary the composition and sometimes the size of the groups throughout a lesson will also be addressed in this academy.

Tentative outline for the 5-days:

Days 1 and 2
Focus: Use of Graphic Organizers

Participants will learn to effectively use Graphic Organizers and be able to—

(a) Consistently, coherently, and creatively use Graphic Organizers

(b) Employ teacher-directed and student-directed approaches; and

(d) Create lesson plans that utilize Graphic Organizers to include one or more of these key components:

review
presentation
guided practice
corrections and feedback
independent practice
weekly and monthly reviews
formative assessment

The intent is to also shift the focus when working with struggling students from basic skills instruction in isolation, to the instructional focus supported by the TEKS and the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000) includes teaching higher-level thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills that are embedded in real-world situations. Participants will engage in activities that illustrate how and why Graphic Organizers are a valuable tool for assisting struggling students with basic mathematical procedures and mathematical problem solving. At the end of the session participants will be knowledgeable of the following: What is a Graphic Organizer? Why Use Graphic Organizers for Content Instruction? What Are the Components of Graphic Organizers? How do I Use Graphic Organizers in My Classes?

Participants should bring and use resource and curriculum materials for day 2 to develop plans that incorporate the use of Graphic Organizers for current and upcoming topics of instruction and be prepared to collect student samples of work to bring to session 2 to share.

Days 3 and 4
Focus: Assessment for Individual and Small Groups Tasks

Participants will participate in a gallery walk where artifacts will be shared during the morning.
Continue to work on use of graphic organizers

Assessing Individual Tasks Participants will explore the use of formative assessments and be provided with strategies designed to assist them with how to ascertain how students are progressing in their learning. Formative assessments to be explored include student demonstrations, written projects, and interviews between teacher and student. The intent is that these formative assessments not be used for grading purposes, but provide both teacher and student with valuable feedback about the student’s progress. The desired outcome is that participants use this information to make informed decisions about their teaching, such as adjusting the rate of instruction, assigning remedial activities, and planning alternative experiences.

Assessing Small Group Tasks Participants will become acquainted with research and activities that illustrate how to assess learning is inherently social and gain a better understanding of how collaborative learning provides social stimulation of mutual engagement. This mutual exploration, meaning-making, and feedback often lead to better understanding on the part of students, and to the creation of new understanding as well. Participants will become familiar with specific strategies assessment strategies including Guided Reciprocal Peer Questioning, Double Entry Journal, Send-A-Problem, Paired Annotations, and Focused Listing will be explored and illustrated.

Day 5

Participants will bring sample of student work to share and discuss in a small group setting. What worked/did not work will be a facilitated discussion. Participants will begin to make plans for future use of strategies.

Final Reflection activities will be conducted as well as additional planning time to prepare for the remaining school year and use of the content and knowledge gained from the institute.

Some of the content from Day 5 will be adjusted based on the results of Days 3 and 4.

Instructional Aides Academy

Multi-day Academy

Instructional aides play an increasingly critical role in the classroom, supporting the teacher and helping students learn both academically and behaviorally. Instructional aides need to have an understanding of how to support the teachers and the students best.

In this twelve-session academy, instructional aides will meet virtually to receive training on building a strong relationship with the teachers and developing a cadre of instructional strategies to use when working with students in small groups.

This is a virtual academy that meets for an hour twelve times. This can also be held as a two-day in-person program.

Maximize Instructional Time by Partnering the Math and Science Standards

Instruction

Join us for a transformative three-day virtual academy where you’ll master the art of aligning the Math and Science TEKS and take your instructional time to new heights!

Explore the Power of Partnering the Math and Science Standards

Discover the magic of partnering Math and Science TEKS to unlock a world of instructional possibilities! Over three afternoons, you’ll learn how to design instruction that aligns with the Math and Science standards – seamlessly weaving these subjects together, maximizing your precious instructional time, and creating a holistic learning experience for your students. Uncover the secrets to reading and analyzing TEKS with precision, ensuring your instructional approach is on point every time. Learn the step-by-step process of writing partnered, aligned lessons, and assessments.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the art of designing aligned mathematics and science instruction
Master the skill of reading and analyzing the mathematics and science TEKS to ensure seamless instructional alignment.
Unlock the process of partnering Mathematics and Science TEKS to make every instructional moment count.
Hone your ability to write partnered, aligned objectives, lessons, and assessments that set a new standard for excellence and effectively utilize instructional time.

During this academy, you will:

Participate in an integrated mathematics and science lesson that integrates Math and Science TEKS.
Conduct a comprehensive TEKS study.
Understand the intricate process of partnering TEKS, writing objectives, and delivering gradual release lessons.
Work collaboratively in grade-level groups to partner grade-specific Math and Science TEKS.
Together, you’ll craft objectives, lessons, and assessments that will leave a lasting impact on your students.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Transform Your Teaching

Secure your spot for Maximize Instructional Time by Partnering the Math and Science Standard today now and begin a three-day academy that will redefine your approach to teaching.

Transformative Principal Leadership Academy

Leadership

Multi-day Academy

Are you a principal with three or more years experience? If so, the Transformative Principal Leadership Academy is for you! This Academy’s purpose is to cultivate and strengthen the expertise of principals throughout the state and lead transformational work in teaching and learning. Gain the tools necessary to support school transformation through rigorous and engaging learning for all students, and receive innovative real-world examples from exemplary practitioners leading school transformation.

Host a Session

Texas ASCD Professional Learning Sessions

By hosting one of our professional learning sessions you will receive a proportionate number of complimentary registrations. Choose either an Institute or Academy in any of our available course topics.

Institute

1-day professional learning session

Academy

2 or more day professional learning session

What does hosting a session involve?

Providing a contact person for arrangements before and during presentation
Help in promoting this session to surrounding schools/districts
Providing a location for the professional development session
Providing morning and afternoon snacks, of your choice, for participants (usually consisting of morning coffee and doughnuts, afternoon soft drinks and cookies)
Providing audio visual equipment for the presenter (usually consisting of a projector, screen, computer, microphone, and flip chart with markers)
Providing a registration table at the session

What does Texas ASCD provide?

A quality professional learning session
Qualified presenter in the field of education
A contact person in the Texas ASCD office that will attend the professional learning session
Promotion of your professional learning session
Copies of all handouts
Handling all presenter travel and expenses