The 2026-27 UMD School Improvement Network

The Network is an innovative community of practice that offers high-quality professional learning, networking, and improvement resources to school and district leaders. Facilitated by UMD's 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. Through the Network, leaders engage in cross-district collaboration, resource sharing, and flexible learning experiences designed to meet the needs of school and district teams. In a time of high professional learning needs and limited resources, the Network is an excellent opportunity for Maryland districts to engage in high-quality, relevant, and connected learning opportunities.

Included Services for Network Members

Webinars
In-Person Workshops
Facilitated Affinity Groups
Facilitated Problem of Practice Groups
Improvement Needs Assessment
Quarterly Newsletter
Resource Hub
Discounted Professional Learning Services

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Network Membership Tiers & Investment

Returning members from the 2025-26 Network are eligible for a 50% renewal rate.

Each membership tier is designed to support different levels of engagement and collaboration across schools and districts.

Individual Membership: $500
School Membership: $2,000
- Five school leaders
- $400 per additional leader
Central Office Membership:
- $400 per member
- Minimum of five members
District Membership:
- $300 per member
- Participation minimums based on district size:
  - Small District: Minimum of 20 members
  - Medium District: Minimum of 50 members
  - Large District: Minimum of 100 members

Webinars and Affinity Groups

Monthly 90-minute webinars are offered in alignment with member interests and Problems of Practice across Network membership. Webinars will introduce members to resources, research, and best practices from the field on a range of instructional and systemic issues. Each webinar will be followed by facilitated affinity groups to give educators opportunities to process information, engage with one another, and share challenges, successes, and ideas. Some webinar topics will be followed by more in-depth workshops (see below). Webinars will be recorded for asynchronous viewing for members.

Webinar Dates for 2026-27


Webinar Date All Webinars will be from 4:30pm - 6:00pm EST.	Webinar Topics (subject to change based on member feedback and interests)
Wednesday, 9/23/26	Understanding the principles of Improvement Science
Tuesday, 10/20/26	Equity and Leadership to advance student learning
Wednesday, 11/18/26	Student Engagement and Attendance
Tuesday, 12/15/26	Fostering Student (and Educator) Wholeness and Wellness
Wednesday, 1/20/27	Supporting Students with Disabilities in Every Classroom
Wednesday, 2/17/27	Using and Designing High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)
Tuesday, 3/16/27	Creating Thriving Spaces for Black Boys
Wednesday, 4/14/27	Supporting and Engaging Immigrant Students
Tuesday, 5/11/27	Improving Mathematics Instructions for Students with Disabilities

In-Person Workshops

CEii offers quarterly in-person half-day workshops, designed exclusively for Network members and hosted at UMD's Anacostia conference center. These workshops are facilitated by UMD faculty (or other experts from the field) and are designed to explore more deeply the topics, issues, and challenges most important to members. Workshop topics are based on surveys and feedback from members. The topics below may be modified based on the identified interests of 2026 Network members. Space is limited to the first 50 registrants per workshop.


Workshop Dates	Workshop Topics
Tuesday, 9/15/26	Advancing Improvement Science Strategies: Collborative Inquiry, Improvement Measures & Progress Monitoring
Wednesday, 12/2/26	Student Engagement & Attendance
Wednesday, 2/17/27	Instructional Leadership to Support Students with Disabilities
Monday, 4/26/27	TBD