Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement (CEii)
Introducing the 91大神 School Improvement Network!
91大神 the 91大神 School Improvement Network ("The Network")
The 91大神 School Improvement Network is an innovative community of practice that supports school and district leaders. Facilitated by 91大神鈥檚 Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement (CEii), the Network offers leaders the opportunity to share strategies, test interventions, and learn from those who face similar challenges. In joining the Network, leaders can engage in cross-district collaboration, resource sharing, and flexible learning experiences designed to meet the needs of participating school and district teams. In a time of high professional learning needs and limited professional learning resources, the Network is a cost-effective way for Maryland districts to engage in high-quality, relevant, and connected learning opportunities.
Pricing Information
Membership offered at introductory price of only $500 per school for up to five members.
Included Services for Network Members
Workshops
Quarterly in-person 陆-day workshops will be designed exclusively for Network members and hosted at the 91大神 Anacostia building conference center. These workshops will provide an opportunity for network teams to engage in a focused deep dive into the principles and application of 1) the science of learning; 2) cycles of improvement; and 3) equity-centered leadership. Space will be limited to the first 50 registrants per workshop.
Webinars
Monthly 60-minute webinars will be developed and offered in alignment with District Needs Assessment and identified Problem of Practice challenge areas across Network membership. The range of topics will draw on the expertise of faculty from across the 91大神 College of Education and could include: SEL, mathematics or ELA pedagogy, family engagement, AI, and/or culturally relevant pedagogy. All webinars will be recorded for asynchronous viewing by members unable to attend.
Facilitated Affinity Groups
Network members will investigate, discuss, unpack and share best practices around a topic of interest directly following each monthly webinar. Affinity groups will be organized by role-like jobs.. These groups will be facilitated by a 91大神 Faculty member using a uniquely curated protocol.
Facilitated Problem of Practice Groups
Using the tenets of Improvement Science, these groups will focus on some of the toughest challenges schools/districts face. Groups will include:
- Chronic Absenteeism
- Teacher Retention and Development
- Special Education
- Multi-Lingual Learners
- School Improvement Planning)
- PoP groups will meet quarterly to discuss research, best practices, and innovative ideas while sharing resources and expertise
Improvement Needs Assessment
Membership in the Network will begin with an Improvement Needs Assessment. This survey and follow up communication will determine alignment between your goals and the offerings of the Network plus the broader improvement science community.
Quarterly Newsletter
School Improvement Quarterly: Your source for insights, best practices, and stories from our network dedicated to advancing continuous improvement efforts. In each issue, we delve into the latest strategies, successes, resources, and innovations driving positive change across schools, districts and communities.
Resource Hub
All Network Members will have access to a customized Resource Hub platform which will store all learning materials from the Network webinars and workshops, as well as the protocols utilized with PoP and Affinity group facilitation. Additionally, Network member contact information as well all archived CEii Improvement Newsletters will be available through the Hub.
Discounted Professional Learning Services
Institutes and Conferences
Organized by themes and grounded with the practitioner experience in mind, the 91大神 Institutes and Conferences are designed to provide meaningful engagement, practical strategies and networking opportunities for members. Institutes and conferences will leverage 91大神 Faculty, leaders in the field of education and network members as presenters and keynotes. Network members will have discounted registration for our landmark conference, the School Improvement Leadership Institute, scheduled for June 2026.
School Improvement Leadership Academy (SILA)
SILA is a 6 month program that teaches principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders how to use improvement science methodologies to design, implement, and evaluate school improvement efforts that enhance student achievement and close gaps between student sub-groups in literacy and mathematics. Participants who complete the program will be skilled at using their school improvement plans to address problems of practice and drive equity in their schools.
Central Office Leadership Academy (COLA)
The Central Office Leadership Academy is designed to help central office leaders, including managers, supervisor, and directors, Assistant Superintendents, and Executive Cabinet members/Chiefs, to think through and develop strategies for solving the tough problems they face on a daily basis.The Academy is a 6-month program and learning experience grounded by a problem of practice that is aligned to the District鈥檚 strategic planning implementation. Over the course of the Academy, participants will work through the problem by obtaining critical knowledge, key strategies, practices, methods, research, and ongoing application of the content.
Online Courses
For central office and school level leaders, UMSIN will develop and offer asynchronous online courses for individuals and teams to develop their improvement- leadership skills. Courses will include up to 6 modules, with opportunities for applied practice in between modules. Course topics will include: Introduction to the Cycle of Improvement, Improvement Science in Practice, and Facilitating Improvement Teams. A 91大神 Certificate and Badge can be earned with completion of each course.
Micro-credentials
Aligned to the asynchronous courses, UMSIN members will have the opportunity to pursue and achieve educator micro-credentials that certify both knowledge and competence in key areas related to leadership, equity, and improvement.
Improvement Tools and Services
91大神 Resource to Advance Improvement Science in Education (RAISE)
RAISE (formerly known as NILS) is an online tool designed to facilitate the work of Networked Improvement Communities (NICs). RAISE is the only platform on the market organized to promote collaborative learning of network members through the use of shared improvement tools such as the Fishbone Diagram and the Drive Diagram, that are central to the improvement science approach, as well as an interactive Plan/Do/Study/Act (PDSA) tool through which users can run multiple and simultaneous short cycle tests of targeted strategies aimed towards the improvement of problems of practice.
Improvement Science Seminars
Network members can take a deep dive into Improvement Science methods and strategies through a day-long seminar curated to the improvement learning needs of specific schools and districts. Seminar topics could include: the Six Principles of Improvement Science, Understanding Problems of Practice and Conducting Causal Systems Analysis, Designing a Theory of Improvement to guide the selection of change strategies; Testing strategies through short cycle inquiries using PDSA cycles.
Customized Improvement Services
Networked Improvement Communities Development and Coaching
Networked Improvement Communities are 鈥渟cientific鈥 professional learning communities that use the principles of Improvement Science to address tough problems schools and districts face - from student learning to systems change. CEii offers coaching and support to help schools and districts to design, implement and evaluate NICs and to help spread and scale effective practices and change ideas that result from NIC work.
Executive Leadership Coaching
CEii utilizes a multi-layered coaching system that utilizes a variety of coaching philosophies, modalities and approaches customized to meet the member's or the team鈥檚 needs. Our coaches are well versed in latest coaching models and have experience as system level leaders including but not limited to principals, supervisors, directors, chiefs, deputies, assistant superintendents and superintendents. Each coaching experience starts with a comprehensive consultation to identify the areas of need and to program a very tailored and unique coaching experience for the member or team.
Research Practice Partnerships
Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs) are a way to bring teachers and/or leaders together with researchers around a shared problem of practice. CEii offers strategic coaching and support for those who are currently involved in research-practice partnerships or those who would like to develop them in the future. The CEii brings the expertise to tailor support to your specific needs and interests.
Equity Audits and Program Evaluations
Members of the CEii team have experience conducting program evaluations and equity audits. Based on the specific need of the project or program being evaluated, the CEii team will work with you to design evaluation tools, feedback timeline, and reporting structure.
Strategic Planning Support
CEii can provide customized support for the development of a renewed district strategic plan as well as vision and mission. We are also uniquely equipped to utilize the tools and framework of improvement science to support districts in tracking their progress towards their goals and adjusting their strategy to accelerate their fulfillment of their strategic vision.
Specialized Education Degree Programs
Network members will receive first-hand information and meet the 91大神 Faculty responsible for three 91大神 signature programs. Each program has its own unique application process and yields either a certification or degree or both.
EdD in School System Leadership
The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in School System Leadership is a 鈥淧ractice Based鈥 doctoral program designed to develop leaders who can create and lead collaborative and inclusive system improvement initiatives. The program enrolls cohorts of students who work together over 42 months to identify, investigate and solve real school system problems. The Ed.D. in School System Leadership is aligned to the NELP standards and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for Superintendent II certification.
Admin 1 Principal Certification
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in School Improvement Leadership, Online is an 18-credit graduate program that targets experienced teachers and leaders who aspire to become school-system administrators. This program provides a statewide, cohort-based professional learning experience in meeting the requirements for state certification. Successful completion leads to Maryland Administrator 1 certification eligibility.