The Dallas Independent School District is committed to providing educators with professional learning experiences that advance effective teaching and learning to positively impact student outcomes. During Summer 2019, the Teaching & Learning division will launch a series of learning opportunities for the 2019-2020 school year through the "Future of Learning" initiative, beginning with Content Intensives and Learning Academies.
Similar to last year, Content Intensives will provide teachers with new, updated and existing district expectations associated with the local curriculum, instruction and assessment programs. Content Intensives will run concurrently with Learning Academies in June 2019. Content Intensives will also be offered July 29 - August 1, 2019.
New this year, Learning Academies (PK-12) will provide teachers with opportunities to engage in professional development addressing three (3) focus areas. The three (3) focus areas were informed by the district improvement plan, student and staff performance data, and teacher and administrator feedback. The three (3) Learning Academies include:
• Whole Child Development (June 10-13, 2019)
• STEAM!Technology Integration (June 17-20, 2019)
• Meeting the Needs of All Students (June 24-27, 2019)
As the district prepares to launch the learning for the 2019-2020 school year, principals will want to communicate this important information to teachers regarding summer professional development opportunities and district professional development requirements.
Professional Development Hours and Planning Documents
All teachers are required to attend twenty-one (21) credit hours of professional development outside their work calendar to meet their contractual obligation. The window for accruing the required twenty-one (21) professional development hours for the 2019-2020 school year opens June 10, 2019 and closes May 28, 2020. Sessions will be offered during the summer and continue through the fall and spring semesters. The twenty-on (21) credit hours will consist of
(1) Content
Seven (7) hours of specific content training must be completed by all district teachers by May 28, 2020. These sessions will focus on the district curriculum, instruction and assessment programs.
(2) Future of Learning/Choice
Seven (7) hours aligned to any combination of the three (3) focus areas must be completed by all district teachers by May 28, 2020. These sessions will address one (1) or more of the focus areas highlighted during the Learning Academies. Teachers are encouraged to engage in Learning Academy sessions that support campus improvement plans and/or TEI goals.
(3) PowerSchool:
Unified Classroom & Performance Matters Online Course
Seven (7) hours to address both Performance Matters assessment system and Unified Classroom - PowerTeacher Pro Attendance and Grading. Participant completion of the Performance Matters sections will enable staff to administer and analyze district common assessments (paper and online ). Completion of the Unified Classroom - Power Teacher Pro Attendance and Grading modules will enable teachers to effectively create and grade assignments, generate student progress reports, and create a variety of student rosters.
As a reminder, professional development planning should be guided by the teacher, campus administrator, and campus instructional coach using the end-of-year summative score or TEI evaluator recommendations. Planning documents are attached and should be used to guide professional development planning during your end of the year summative conferences with teachers.
Summer Professional Learning Logistics
Dates. Summer dates are June 10-13; June 17-20; June 24-27; and July 29-August 1 (Content Intensives only).
Locations. The primary sites for this year's sessions include, but are not limited to:
o Hulcy STEAM Academy Middle School
o Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center
o The majority of the sessions will be held at the venues listed above, however, check session details included in Cornerstone for specific locations and times.
Hours. Seven (7) hour sessions will begin at 8:00 am and will end at 4:30 pm with an hour and a half lunch break. Half day sessions (3.5 hours) will be from 8:00 - 11 :30 am or 1 :00 - 4:30 pm. Learning Academy sessions will feature expanded scheduling options, including
30- minute, 1 hour, 2 hours, half day, and full day sessions.
New Learning Designs. Learning Academies associated with the Future of Learning will align to the three (3) focus areas and will feature keynote speakers, spotlight sessions, roundtable discussions, solution circles, workshops, poster sessions and demonstration areas. A preview of Learning Academy sessions follows:
A Whole Child Development Learning Academy (PK-12) sessions will address topics, such as social and emotional learning, proactive behavior intervention systems, restorative practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and positive classroom management programs.
o STEAM/Technology Integration Learning Academy (PK-12) sessions will address topics, such as problem-solving, reasoning and discourse; real world learning connections; computational thinking; coding and robotics; technology-enhanced visual and performing arts lessons; plus, the latest technology trends, applications and integration strategies. Specialized courses for CTE, Health and Physical Education will also be offered during this academy.
Meeting the Needs of All Students Learning Academy (PK-12) sessions will address topics, such as planning for the diverse needs of students in general and special education classrooms with an emphasis on strategies and resources addressing students' academic, cultural, and linguistic needs.
Summer Learning Guide and Registration Timelines
The summer learning guide (catalog) and other information about the Content Intensives and Learning Academies will be posted on the Professional and Digital Learning webpage at www.dallasisd.org/pdt. The learning guide will be available to view beginning
Monday, April 29, 2019. Registration will open in Cornerstone on Monday, May 20, 2019.
Teachers' official record of professional development hours is maintained in the Cornerstone Learning Management System. Teachers register for district-sponsored sessions and upload certificates of attendance for all other sessions to ensure an accurate accounting of professional development hours completed. Campus media specialists have been trained on how to navigate Cornerstone to assist teachers, as needed. In addition, videos and quick steps have been developed and can be found at tiny.cc/cshowto.
For additional information, contact Professional and Digital Learning at PDL@dallasisd,org or visit our webpage at www.dallasisd.org/pdl.
