Deeper Learning 2026

What if students could be more engaged because they understood what you were assessing—and why? How do we keep middle schoolers truly invested in their learning? In this workshop, educators will explore how authentic, collaborative assessment—when connected to real-world challenges and student interests—can transform classroom culture and deepen learning. We’ll examine a middle school project that sparked curiosity, built essential skills, and led to meaningful work, while highlighting how student voice and choice played a key role in both the process and the assessment. Discover how inviting students into the assessment conversation can make their thinking more visible, foster ownership, and drive deeper engagement. You will leave the workshops with tools, strategies, and inspiration to co-create learning experiences that matter—to you and your students.

Are you committed to Deeper Learning—projects, authentic assessments!—and grade-level curricula (like Springboard or Illustrative Math)? Good for you. You are committed to educational justice. But you may also be feeling the squeeze: there’s only so much time.

It doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. The trick is to put Deeper Learning and solid curriculum in service of each other. In this Deep Dive, you’ll bring a unit or assignment from your published curriculum (or work with examples we provide) and learn how to deepen its power by applying principles of High-Quality Performance Assessment (HQPA) and practices of public exhibition.

After a day in this creative design laboratory—open to teachers and school or district leaders—you’ll show off your new skills with a piece of curriculum that’s been “Deeper Learn-ified.”

Lunch is included in each deep dive.
LUNCH MENU
Greek Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Cannelini Bean & Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Lemon Basmati Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Mediterranean Spiced Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Tahini Dressing
Falafel (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Roasted Vegetables   Lemon Bars & Baklava