The Educational Affairs committee convened on Zoom on October 20, and the agenda featured a three-year review of the district’s professional learning. The presentation was broken into three sections:

• Where we started - A review of the documents, data, and rationale prompted changes to CSD’s Professional Learning System; 
• Student-centered, systematized professional learning - A look at CSD’s professional learning system cycle and the instructional practices forming the core of its learning objectives; and 
• CSD’s COVID-19 Response - A theoretical framework and how its practices support teachers and students through remote learning

The first section addressed the items uncovered in the March 2017 curriculum audit, such as the need for observation and feedback, data-informed professional learning system, and professional learning centered on best instructional practices. The second section focused on student systematized professional learning, including collecting and analyzing data, determining professional learning goals, freshman learning and follow through. The third section made mention of high-quality pedagogical practices and effective use of instructional technology as the core components requiring instructor mastery in remote education. CSD repurposed remaining Act 80 available professional learning hours from 2019-20 as half day sessions every other Wednesday. The inclusion of asynchronous Wednesdays in 2020-21 has allowed weekly professional learning to be devoted to instructional technology and pedagogy. The next Educational Affairs committee meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.