Performance Level Descriptor (PLD) Track at the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
The 2025 Summer Retreat is a three-day virtual professional learning experience, taking place on June 17th, 18th, and 19th! It’s designed to allow you to choose the sessions that best meet your needs and the needs of your students. Whether you’re looking to build on existing skills or explore new strategies, this retreat has something for everyone. Each session qualifies for PD hours, making it a valuable opportunity for professional growth.
One of the standout features of this year’s retreat is the Performance Level Descriptor (PLD) track, which will be offered on Day 3 (June 19th). This track is focused on helping you understand and apply PLDs in your teaching practice, giving you practical strategies to improve student outcomes.
What to Expect from the PLD Track
Whether you're new to PLDs or looking to refine your approach, the PLD track on Day 3 will offer practical, hands-on strategies to help you use these resources more effectively. Sessions will dive into how PLDs can help you assess student progress, tailor your instruction to meet individual needs, and drive better long-term outcomes for your students.
You’ll gain concrete tools for integrating PLDs into your teaching, whether you’re working with new students or looking to enhance your existing practices. The track will also give you insights into how PLDs can help guide your instructional decisions and improve your ability to support diverse learners.
Sessions in the PLD Track
Get to Know the PLDs
Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC
8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Join APSRC's Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey to dive into the Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) to gain a deeper understanding of this amazing resource. Come ready to learn what PLDs are and the impact this resource can have on your instructional practices.
PLDs and DOK
Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC
9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.
In this session, Cheryl and Stefanie will continue to focus on using PLDs to drive instruction. This session will take the conversation a step further to focus on how Performance Level Descriptors can help teachers create questions of differing Depth of Knowledge (DOK), while remaining within grade-level standards.
PLDs and Aligning Instruction
Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC
10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.
In our 3rd session focusing on the power of the PLDs, we will dive into how this resource can be used for instructional alignment. With a continued focus on teachers providing grade-level instruction for ALL students, performance level descriptors can make a teacher's job a little easier by framing each standard and what a student must be able to accomplish to perform at a Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or a Level 4 understanding of grade level material.
PLDs and CFAs
Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Caroline Nail from APSRC
12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.
In this session, APSRC's Co-Director of Teaching & Learning, Caroline Nail, will join Cheryl Blue to discuss how the PLDs can be used to support the creation of standards-aligned Common Formative Assessments (CFAs). CFAs are used to drive instruction all across the state of Arkansas. Join this session to learn how we can make sure that data is consistently aligned to standards and how we can utilize that data to truly grow ALL students.
PLDs and Performance-Based Grading
Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Caroline Nail from APSRC
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
In the final session on PLDs, Cheryl and Caroline will discuss how this tool simplifies performance-based grading. The tool can help individual teachers, teacher teams, and entire campuses align their instructional expectations. This will increase the ability of students, parents, and educators to be on the same page and work together to ensure all students can meet grade-level expectations.
Why Should You Attend?
The PLD track is perfect for educators looking to strengthen their use of PLDs to support student success. Whether you’re just starting with PLDs or looking for new ways to refine your approach, this track will offer sessions that meet you where you are and help you move forward in your instructional practice.
On Day 3, all sessions within the PLD track will be dedicated to helping you apply PLDs to your teaching and create a stronger framework for student growth and achievement. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build a deeper understanding of PLDs and how to use them to meet your students’ needs.
Don't Miss Out on the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
The 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat is an exciting, flexible event that gives you the chance to grow professionally and gain insights you can apply immediately in your classroom.
Whether you’re focusing on PLDs or exploring other strategies, each session will offer valuable takeaways that will help improve your teaching practice.
We’re excited for you to join us for this virtual event and especially for the PLD track on June 19th. Be sure to register now to secure your spot and start planning your schedule for the retreat!
