universities; in addition, AUHSD teachers and administrators frequently lead professional development sessions. Professional
development opportunities in AUHSD include the following:
• Annual District and site-based professional development days (3 full days per year)
• Summer Institute (3 days) prior to the start of the school year
• Summer curriculum development sessions
• District and site-based curricular release days
• Wednesday and Friday morning site-based meetings
• Districtwide optional professional development days
• Districtwide after-school curricular projects
• Sessions led by instructional coaches – Teachers on Special Assignment
• Regional and national conferences and workshops (in-person and online)
• Training related to new standards and curriculum
As AUHSD staff participate in several initiatives related to curriculum, instruction, and student engagement, recent professional
development sessions have addressed the following topics:
• Curriculum Development
• Course content and standards for English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies
• Development of a new Ethnic Studies course
• Refinement of the Human and Social Development course
• Introduction of data science into the mathematics course pathways
• Learning Theory and Instructional Strategies
• Science behind student learning
• Effective instructional strategies, especially for the 90-minute class sessions
• Infusing 1:1 technology in the classroom to increase engagement and learning
• Expansion of project-based learning
• Grading practices that foster engagement and learning
• Academic Intervention
• Identifying needs of students not performing at standard
• Targeted academic interventions for students earning grades below a “C”
• Classroom and schoolwide systems for academic intervention
• Social Emotional Wellbeing
• Strategies to foster classrooms characterized by positive connections and support
• Social emotional learning strategies that help address issues related to academic stress
AUHSD is also continuing to provide professional development that fosters inclusion and belonging for all staff and students.
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