icon

Join Eduplanet For

Designing Future-Ready Curriculum & Assessment

1-Day Leadership Conference

January 8, 2026 | Central PA

A light breakfast and full lunch will be provided for all attendees.

icons8-calendar-48

When

January 8, 2026 from 9:00am - 4:00pm

icons8-address-48

Where

Capital Area Intermediate Unit
The Susquehanna Room
55 Miller Street
Summerdale, PA 

icons8-classmates-sittings-skin-type-2-48

Roles

  • District and school leaders
  • Curriculum and Instruction Specialists
  • Department Chairs leading curriculum

Register Now!

Our Speakers

webimage-C511E460-69DB-4699-8717E884866493A6

Jay McTighe

Jay McTighe is an internationally recognized educator, author, and consultant with more than 40 years of experience in curriculum, assessment, and instruction. He is best known as co-author of the Understanding by Design® framework, which has shaped curriculum work in schools and districts around the world.

az-linkedin-300x300

Allison Zmuda

Allison Zmuda is an international education consultant and co-author of Streamlining the Curriculum: Using the Storyboard Approach to Frame Compelling Learning Journeys. She partners with schools and districts to design personalized, meaningful learning experiences that empower both students and educators.

rob

Dr. Rob Freil

Dr. Freil serves as Assistant Superintendent for the South Western School District in Hanover, PA, and is the current President of PA Edge. With more than two decades of experience, he is a seasoned curriculum leader recognized for advancing district initiatives and shaping statewide professional learning and advocacy.

1543357050240 (1)

Dr. Brian Cromer

Brian is an experienced Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. He brings expertise in curriculum development, assessment design, differentiated instruction, and educational technology, all grounded in practical classroom experience and a deep commitment to effective teaching and learning.

apple-touch-icon-2

Featured Sessions

9:15am - 11:15am

Presented by: Jay McTighe

Based on his 25+ years of experience with the Understanding by Design® framework and newer ideas described in Leading Modern Learning, 2nd ed. (Solution Tree and ASCD, 2019), Jay will describe a framework for constructing a coherent curriculum and assessment system that integrates Portrait of a Graduate/Learner Competencies with disciplinary content identified in Standards.

Participants will learn:

  • the elements of a “guaranteed and viable” pre-K–12 curriculum and assessment system that integrates Portrait of a Graduate/Learner Competencies with Academic content;
  • a method for prioritizing the curriculum to focus on the most important learning outcomes;
  • ways of achieving a vertically aligned curriculum that “spirals” around big ideas and overarching essential questions;
  • ideas for crafting an authentic assessment system for gathering evidence on all valued outcomes (not just those that are easiest to test and grade);
  • about Curriculum Mapping 3.0 – mapping desired student performances rather than simply listing discrete content topics and skills on a calendar; an approach that enables greater student personalization while still obtaining appropriate evidence of all valued outcomes.

11:25am - 12:30pm

Presented by: Dr. Rob Freil and Dr. Brian Cromer

Join leaders from South Western School District as they share their curriculum design journey from past to present, and where they’re heading next. Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Rob Freil, will unpack the key tenets and foundational elements that shaped their effective curriculum design process. Dr. Brian Cromer, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, will then explore the district’s current progress, lessons learned, and the exciting future they envision as their work continues to evolve.

 

1:30pm - 3:30pm

Presented by: Allison Zmuda

Join us for an engaging exploration of Curriculum Storyboarding. In this session, Allison Zmuda will first clarify the storyboard methodology and demonstrate how this approach brings clarity and coherence to communicating where a course is headed. You’ll see how storyboards can engage learners, support transparency, and help students understand and connect with their learning journey.

Following the overview, participants will actively engage in customized tracks aligned to their priorities—whether you’re planning a curriculum refresh, strengthening family communication, or designing storyboards for different audiences and user needs.

Why Attend

icons8-expert-50

Expert Insight

Jay McTighe, Allison Zmuda, and leaders from South Western SD will share practical insights — from UbD® to Curriculum Storyboards™ to real-world implementation.

icons8-group-50

Real Voices

You’ll  hear from local school and district leaders who are already implementing these ideas: real stories, lessons learned, and models you can adapt.

icons8-action-50

Actionable Takeaways

This isn’t just theory. You’ll walk away with a stronger grasp of how to build a coherent, modern learning system grounded in local context.

Thank You to Our Hosts

caiu