Curriculum-Based Professional Learning: The Elements

In December, 2024 TLA attended the  Learning Forward pre-conference session led by Jim Short, Program Director of Leadership & Teaching to Advance Learning with the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The session centered on the challenge paper and report The Elements: Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-Based Professional Learning (CBPL). This work gave fresh terms and definitions to TLA’s 30+ years of working with educators and systems to elevate instruction through evidence-based curriculum. 

Dr. Short emphasized that professional learning anchored in the curriculum teachers use daily ensures relevance, creating a direct line between what teachers learn and what students experience.  And teachers who engage in curriculum-specific professional learning are more likely to implement effective instructional practices compared to those who receive generic training.

Additionally, the session also delved into key focus areas and structural design features for effective CBPL. Among them:

1. Collective Participation: Teachers need ongoing opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and receive coaching while implementing a curriculum.
2. Change Management: Professional learning is a part of  how organizations and individuals change. Effective CBPL takes both of those into account.
3. Reflection and Feedback Loops: Regular opportunities for teachers to reflect on their practice and receive actionable feedback are critical for sustained growth.

If you’ve worked with TLA before, you know these are key elements in our work. As you are planning to or are currently implementing a new literacy curriculum, reach out to TLA. We are ready to support you with all The Elements of CBPL!