Curriculum-Based Professional Learning (CBPL) Network
Curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) is an essential component of improving teacher practice and advancing student learning.
The CalTex CBPL Network launched in 2025 focusing on effectively using curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) to support the implementation of middle school mathematics curricula for selected middle schools in the Central Valley of California and in North Texas. Leveraging the specifics of CBPL and strategies of continuous improvement prepares teams to test and measure classroom changes that improve the implementation of Illustrative Mathematics in California and Bluebonnet Learning mathematics in Texas. By employing specific strategies to focus professional learning on effective use of the math curriculum, this work is expected to positively affect teaching and learning for all middle school students.
What is Curriculum-Based Professional Learning?
To support the change in teacher practice and student learning Educators need to engage in curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL).
What it is:
- Professional learning that focuses on the implementation of high-quality instructional materials
- Teachers experience the same kind of inquiry-based learning we expect them to provide their students.
- Rooted in ongoing, active experiences that prompt teachers to change their instructional practices, expand their content knowledge, and challenge their beliefs.
What it is not:
- Sessions focused on orientation to the curriculum or instructional materials
- Professional development disconnected from the curriculum
- Siloed or disconnected curriculum-based professional learning sessions
- Training sessions focused solely on building teacher content knowledge
Background
The foundation of Learning Forward’s curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) work began with support from a grant by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The original network design, developed through that Carnegie-supported initiative, now carries forward into the CalTex Network. While the core architecture remains intact, CalTex intentionally leverages county offices of education and regional service centers as capacity-building partners—strengthening local leadership, coherence, and sustainability across participating districts.
The network design is grounded in three anchor resources: Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning; The Elements: Transforming Teaching Through Curriculum-Based Professional Learning; and research from the Center for Public Research and Leadership on the national landscape of curriculum-based professional learning.
The model was further shaped by a 15-member Advisory Team whose collective expertise in mathematics, professional learning, and curriculum implementation informed both the network structure and the recruitment of district teams.
Networks
Previous Networks
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The inaugural CBPL Network lauched in 2023 with three districts: The School District of Philadelphia (PA), Montgomery County (MD), and Metro Nashville Public Schools (TN). Teams of educators from the three districts are working toward a shared Network goal of increasing the effectiveness of curriculum-based professional learning to positively affect teaching and learning for all students of middle school mathematics.
The CBPL Network was supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY). The design of the Network was informed by three key anchor resources: Standards for Professional Learning, The Elements: Transforming teaching through curriculum-based professional learning (Short and Hirsh, 2020), and recent research about the state of CBPL by the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL).
