Celebrating Seven Years of Innovation: The CFC and CSME Partnership
Over the past seven years, the CFC and CSME Partnership has exemplified what is possible when school districts and research institutions work hand-in-hand to support educators and advance student learning. This collaborative effort—anchored by the partnership between the Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) and Niles Township’s Collaborative for Curriculum (CFC)—has focused on building sustainable systems for curriculum adoption, implementation, and evaluation across the Niles Township K–12 schools.
At the heart of this work is an innovative professional learning model that emphasizes both depth and coherence. Together, CSME and CFC have designed and delivered comprehensive, multi-year support for teachers and leaders that is grounded in research, responsive to local needs, and aligned across content areas.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Township-Wide Professional Learning Series: Teachers across Science, Math, and Literacy engaged in ongoing, content-rich sessions designed to deepen instructional practice and support curriculum implementation. These series fostered cross-district collaboration, encouraged shared learning, and elevated professional dialogue.
- Science Leadership Support: In the second year of science curriculum implementation, the partnership provided targeted support for school-based Science Leaders. This included guidance on leading change, fostering teacher collaboration, and monitoring instructional alignment—ensuring momentum and coherence across classrooms.
- Strategic Visioning with Directors: A critical element of the partnership involved working closely with CFC Directors to develop a unified vision and actionable strategies for curriculum adoption and implementation across CFC partner districts. This included facilitating consensus-building conversations, aligning timelines, and establishing shared metrics for success.
A Model for Sustainable Systems
More than a set of professional development sessions, the CFC and CSME Partnership represents a sustainable system of learning and improvement. Its success lies in the deliberate integration of curriculum, leadership, and teacher learning—bridging the day-to-day realities of the classroom with long-term strategic planning.
As we reflect on the progress made and the relationships strengthened, we celebrate this partnership not only for what it has accomplished, but for the foundation it has laid for future innovation.
For more information about the CFC/CSME Partnership or to learn how to support similar projects, email csme@luc.edu.
Over the past seven years, the CFC and CSME Partnership has exemplified what is possible when school districts and research institutions work hand-in-hand to support educators and advance student learning. This collaborative effort—anchored by the partnership between the Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) and Niles Township’s Collaborative for Curriculum (CFC)—has focused on building sustainable systems for curriculum adoption, implementation, and evaluation across the Niles Township K–12 schools.
At the heart of this work is an innovative professional learning model that emphasizes both depth and coherence. Together, CSME and CFC have designed and delivered comprehensive, multi-year support for teachers and leaders that is grounded in research, responsive to local needs, and aligned across content areas.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Township-Wide Professional Learning Series: Teachers across Science, Math, and Literacy engaged in ongoing, content-rich sessions designed to deepen instructional practice and support curriculum implementation. These series fostered cross-district collaboration, encouraged shared learning, and elevated professional dialogue.
- Science Leadership Support: In the second year of science curriculum implementation, the partnership provided targeted support for school-based Science Leaders. This included guidance on leading change, fostering teacher collaboration, and monitoring instructional alignment—ensuring momentum and coherence across classrooms.
- Strategic Visioning with Directors: A critical element of the partnership involved working closely with CFC Directors to develop a unified vision and actionable strategies for curriculum adoption and implementation across CFC partner districts. This included facilitating consensus-building conversations, aligning timelines, and establishing shared metrics for success.
A Model for Sustainable Systems
More than a set of professional development sessions, the CFC and CSME Partnership represents a sustainable system of learning and improvement. Its success lies in the deliberate integration of curriculum, leadership, and teacher learning—bridging the day-to-day realities of the classroom with long-term strategic planning.
As we reflect on the progress made and the relationships strengthened, we celebrate this partnership not only for what it has accomplished, but for the foundation it has laid for future innovation.
For more information about the CFC/CSME Partnership or to learn how to support similar projects, email csme@luc.edu.