CEii | UMD College of Education

CEii Professional Learning and Leadership Development

Center for Educational Innovation & Improvement (CEii)

Connecting University Expertise with the Real Work of School Improvement

Through professional learning, leadership development, improvement science, research-practice, partnerships, and customized support, CEii helps educators address real challenges facing schools and school systems.

Our work is grounded in collaboration. We connect university expertise with the day-to-day realities of schools and districts to develop practical solutions, test ideas, strengthen systems, and support continuous improvement.

Equity remains at the center of everything we do as we work to create stronger leaders, better systems, and better outcomes for students and communities.


School Improvement Using an improvement science approach and an equity lens, we support school systems and their stakeholders on how systems are contributing to educational problems and what actions can be taken to improve performance.
Leadership Development We support leadership preparation and development through a number of programs offered at the College of Education, including the Doctorate of Education in School Systems Leadership, the Principal Certification Program, and the School Improvement Leadership Certificate program, to help school districts prepare and support high-quality leaders.
Growth, Engagement, and Influence CEii ambitiously pursues a growth and engagement agenda, including expanding partnership work at state and national levels. This work expands the University’s presence as a local and national leader in education policy, research, and practice. We promote collaboration among institutes of higher education, state departments of education, and local education agencies to advance effective K-12 education improvement.
Research/Practice Partnerships We view partnerships as an important approach to building context and tackling education problems. We conduct research through partnerships between universities and school systems aimed at improved learning for that school system, and new and better insights for improving K-12 education broadly.

School Improvement
Using an improvement science approach and an equity lens, we support school systems and their stakeholders on how systems are contributing to educational problems and what actions can be taken to improve performance.

Leadership Development

We support leadership preparation and development through a number of programs offered at the College of Education, including the Doctorate of Education in School Systems Leadership, the Principal Certification Program, and the School Improvement Leadership Certificate program, to help school districts prepare and support high-quality leaders.

Growth, Engagement, and Influence

CEii ambitiously pursues a growth and engagement agenda, including expanding partnership work at state and national levels. This work expands the University’s presence as a local and national leader in education policy, research, and practice. We promote collaboration among institutes of higher education, state departments of education, and local education agencies to advance effective K-12 education improvement.

Research/Practice Partnerships

We view partnerships as an important approach to building context and tackling education problems. We conduct research through partnerships between universities and school systems aimed at improved learning for that school system, and new and better insights for improving K-12 education broadly.

The School Improvement Network
(The Network)

_{The University of Maryland School Improvement Network is an innovative community of practice that supports school and district leaders.}
Learn About The Network

Central Office Leadership Academy
(COLA)

Group photo of the first cohort of the Central Office Leadership Academy

_{COLA is an advanced, high-touch program designed to help Central Office Leaders solve tough problems faced on a daily basis}

Learn About COLA

School Improvement Leadership Academy
(SILA)

_{SILA supports Principals, Assistant Principals, and Teacher Leaders in identifying and refining Problems of Practice}

Explore SILA

The Racial and Social Justice Collaborative (RSJC)

A research practice partnership - work centers on a shared problem of practice: opportunities and challenges that Black male students face in school.

Learn About RSJC

Racial and Social Justice Collaborative RSJC

_{^{LEADERSHIP MATTERS}}	_{^{EQUITY IS THE ISSUE}}	_{^{IMPROVEMENT IS POSSIBLE}}
_{^{Strong, effective, and caring leadership at every level is essential to creating the systems, structures, and conditions for schools, districts, and organizations to thrive.}}	_{^{Vibrant and successful public education systems are achieved only when students’ success cannot be predicted based on their race, class, gender, or any other marginalized identifier.}}	_{^{We can make our schools better and more equitable by adopting and implementing}} _{^{a continuous improvement culture throughout our systems.}}

Experience a Professional Learning Session

_{We provide equity-centered faculty expertise to meet school and district needs. CEii's strategic plan outlines work across four key areas:}

_{School Improvement}
_{Leadership Development}
_{Growth, Engagement, and Influence}
_{Research and Practice Partnership}
_{View CEii's Strategic Plan}

Stay Connected. Keep The Learning Going.

Explore Upcoming CEii Events, Webinars, Workshops, Information Sessions, and Professional Learning Opportunities.

A Book Talk & Signing with Dr. Monifa McKnight

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
4:00 - 7:00 PM
1 Physics Ellipse Drive, College Park, MD 20742
Register for A Conversation with Dr. Monifa McKnight

_{Center for Educational Innovation & Improvement}
_{3304 Anacostia Building, 1 Physics Ellipse Dr, College Park, MD 20742}
_{301-405-9200 |}_{ceii-coe@umd.edu}

Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement (CEii)