State-funded UVA cohorts, University of Pittsburgh study and TNTP grant highlighted as part of district—apacity work

District leaders described multiple professional-development and research partnerships at the Jan. 13 committee meeting, including state-funded UVA cohorts for school leaders and a University of Pittsburgh data-sharing agreement tied to a TNTP grant for ELA teacher engagement.

Staff explained that Cohort 20 (assistant principals) and Cohort 21 (new principals) will attend UVA-sponsored sessions; the state agreed to fund the cohorts this year, a measure the district said covers fees that otherwise could cost about $30,000 per school. Directors asked whether district staff or recovery partners would attend; staff said both internal leaders and state recovery partners will participate as thought partners and co-supports.

Separately, staff described a data-sharing agreement with the University of Pittsburgh through the Institute for Learning and TNTP. That agreement is grant-funded and will support engagement strategies for ELA teachers; it requires submission of some district data to support the research and the grant-funded coaching. Board members asked whether the agreement represented service provision or a study; staff clarified it is a grant-funded partnership that includes supports for teachers and requires limited data submission under the grant.

Staff also noted a SPEC implementation agreement and a planned San Diego conference for district technology staff focused on artificial intelligence tools; the technology conference will likely be paid from local funds rather than grant funds. Directors requested clarity on funding sources for each contract and were told the state covered UVA cohort expenses this year.

Ending: District staff said they would provide the board with program-level expectations and the district scorecard used for progress monitoring, and follow up about the specifics of grant-funded data-sharing and any required data elements.