The Board Work Session for Charles County Public Schools on September 22, 2025, focused on the initiative of collaborative planning among educators, aimed at enhancing student outcomes through structured teamwork. The meeting began with an overview of the Office of Teaching and Learning's role in this initiative, emphasizing the importance of aligning collaborative tools with instructional goals and school improvement plans.

Key discussions highlighted the development of professional learning team protocols and planning templates, which were distributed during the summer leadership institute. The importance of providing protected time for collaborative planning was stressed, as it allows educators to engage effectively in this process. The meeting outlined how principals are expected to create schedules that facilitate these collaborative sessions, ensuring alignment with school improvement goals and district curriculum maps.

Mr. Lowes elaborated on the essence of collaborative planning, describing it as a scheduled time for teachers to come together—typically by grade level in elementary schools and by content area in secondary schools. This collaborative effort is designed to foster sharing of expertise, lesson planning, and data analysis, ultimately aimed at improving student outcomes.

The meeting also addressed the expectations for collaborative planning across different school levels. Elementary schools are encouraged to plan for 30 minutes each week for both math and reading, while middle schools are expected to dedicate 30 minutes daily during core subject planning periods. High schools will have a slightly different structure, with a focus on 30 minutes of planning each week.

Melissa, another speaker, emphasized that collaborative planning is not merely a meeting but a strategic investment in teacher development and student success. She outlined four key purposes for structuring collaborative planning: data inquiry, examining student work, lesson planning, and professional learning. Each session is designed to focus on one specific purpose, ensuring that teachers' time is used effectively.

The meeting concluded with a call for school teams to share their experiences with implementing collaborative planning, reinforcing the idea that teamwork among educators is crucial for fostering a culture of collaboration that drives student success. Overall, the session underscored the district's commitment to enhancing educational practices through structured collaboration among teachers.