In this SY27 SCHED EVENT PAGE you will find registration for professional learning sessions offered from the CPS Office of Teaching and Learning TAKING PLACE JUNE 9, 2026 - JUNE 14, 2027.
Please note, to access district-wide offerings of professional learning opportunities you may view the Employee Intranet Professional Learning Calendar(filter the calendar by professional learning on the left).
Sign up or log in to add sessions to your schedule and sync them to your phone or calendar.
This course introduces educators to Amira Instruct, a powerful tool designed to personalize reading instruction through AI-driven insights. Participants will explore the purpose and vision behind Amira Instruct, experience micro-lessons from the student perspective, and learn how to use the AI Lesson Planner to differentiate instruction based on individual student needs. By the end of this course, educators will be equipped to integrate Amira Instruct into their teaching practice to deliver targeted, impactful literacy instruction.
Participants will explore how i-Ready Inform identifies essential K–2 foundational literacy and numeracy skills and master the setup and proctoring steps required for a seamless testing window. Educators will walk away with actionable strategies to ensure valid data and take confident first steps toward translating results into targeted instruction.
This session is appropriate for all educators who will be implementing i-Ready Inform Assessments.
"The Branching Minds platform continues to evolve to make supporting your students easier and more efficient. Join us for a quick look at the latest major updates and newest features designed to save you time and maximize student outcomes.
In this session, we explore the revamped Growth Reports and customizable analytics dashboards that make tracking multi-year student progress smoother than ever. Get ready to work smarter, not harder, with these powerful new tools".
This session will focus on the day to day and week to week Assessment for Learning best practices to engage as we prepare our students for the expected level of rigor of the IAR.
Designed for new Star users, this introductory session will provide a high-level overview of Star 360 at the elementary and high school levels, explaining its role in assessment and instruction. Educators will gain an understanding of how Star 360 is used within Chicago Public Schools, along with key Star data points and reports they will have access to. Participants will also learn about Star Evaluaciones and its role in Spanish-language assessment and instruction.
Designed for Grading Coordinators, this session covers core roles and responsibilities alongside effective Aspen Gradebook practices. Coordinators will learn how to perform thorough gradebook health checks to pinpoint and fix reporting issues efficiently.
This one-hour session is designed to demystify and leverage the powerful data integration between Amira Learning and Branching Minds. Participants will discover how Amira’s real-time, AI-driven oral reading assessments and tutoring insights flow seamlessly into Branching Minds to simplify Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) management.
Instead of manually shifting numbers between platforms, educators will learn how to let the integration do the heavy lifting. By the end of the hour, you will know exactly how to use this unified data loop to quickly identify student reading gaps, instantly document Tier 2/Tier 3 plans, and confidently monitor progress with ease.
Designed for returning Star 360 users, this highly interactive session will focus on key updates, test administration best practices, and preparing for a successful testing window. Come ready to engage with fellow educators as you explore the latest information, discuss real-world scenarios, and share strategies that support high-quality assessment practices. Through collaborative discussions, you'll exchange classroom-tested ideas, learn from peers, and leave with practical takeaways to support successful Star administration throughout the year.
"Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is foundational to academic success, classroom community, and overall student well-being. This interactive professional learning session equips educators and multi-tiered support team members with the skills to effectively leverage the Branching Minds platform to support students' social-emotional growth.
Participants will learn how to analyze student data to identify specific SEL needs, select evidence-based interventions, and create actionable, high-impact SEL plans tailored to individual and group requirements." Learning Hub Class: 143459
This session will focus on the day to day and week to week Assessment for Learning best practices to engage as we prepare our students for the expected level of rigor of the IAR.
This course is specifically designed for educatorsimplementing Amira in Spanish. It will provide them with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently administer the Amira ISIP Placement Assessment. Participants will explore the purpose and structure of the assessment, learn how to administer it, and gain practical guidance for preparing students and ensuring a smooth testing experience. Whether you’re new to Amira assessments or need a refresher, this course will help you confidently and effectively use this powerful tool to support student success.
Participants will explore how i-Ready Inform de Lectura y Matemáticas uncovers key foundational Spanish literacy and math skills, while mastering the setup and proctoring steps required for a seamless testing window. Educators will walk away with actionable strategies to ensure data validity across both subject areas and take confident first steps toward translating those results into targeted instruction.
This session is appropriate for all educators who will be implementing i-Ready Inform Spanish Assessments.
Navigating multiple data sources to evaluate student progress shouldn't feel overwhelming. In this interactive 1-hour professional development session, educators and leaders will explore how to effectively navigate, interpret, and leverage the data and reporting features within Branching Minds.
