Learning never stops in the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD). While students are preparing to start school this week, IUSD teachers attended a districtwide professional learning day with the theme Assessment That Empowers Teachers and Students. Organized by the District’s Education Services Department, nearly 2,000 teachers and certificated staff attended one of 24 sessions hosted at schools throughout the District.
The focus was on providing strategies for assessing student learning and outcomes, as well as ways to identify learning targets. Research shows that high quality assessment has the power to dramatically increase student learning and maximize teacher effectiveness. With this in mind, teachers participated in activities to better assess how well students know standards, how to support students who learn differently, and identify actionable steps that will improve teaching and learning in their classrooms.
In addition, IUSD Early Childhood Learning and Visual and Performing Arts teachers attended sessions on Using the Learning Cycle to Empower Teachers and Engage Students and Arts for All Kids, respectively. Other topics for mental health and wellness staff, Media Technicians, Special Education teachers, P.E. paraprofessionals included Growing Student Social Emotional Support Together, Checkout What’s New in IUSD Libraries!, Getting “Psyched” for the New School Year, Team Up to Build P.E. Common Assessments, and Best Practices for Supporting Students with IEPs as a Special Educator.
IUSD educators are committed to lifelong learning and embrace continuous improvement so that they can empower students and prepare them for challenging college, careers and post-secondary goals. Thank you to all who attended today.