2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference

How can school and district leaders design professional learning systems that actually improve teaching and learning? In this interactive session, the UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah will share a research-informed framework for building coherent and aligned professional learning systems that result in improved student outcomes. Participants will explore six high-leverage leadership moves that shift professional learning from fragmented activities to intentional systems with lasting impact.

Participants will:
• Learn key research-based strategies to align and strengthen professional learning systems
• Explore six leadership moves—what they are, why they matter, and how they show up in practice
• Engage in interactive activities and structured tools designed to deepen understanding and immediate application
• Use a self-assessment to reflect on current systems and identify opportunities for greater alignment and coherence
• Draft a concrete action plan to bring this learning back to their schools or districts

Why This Matters:
When time and resources are limited, making every minute of professional learning count is essential. Yet too often, professional learning lacks the coherence needed to change practice and improve outcomes. This session equips leaders with practical tools and a roadmap to strengthen the systems behind the learning—so that every professional learning investment translates into better instruction, deeper teacher engagement, and stronger results for students.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable