Why attend the Accelerate Learning with Effective Assignments Trainer Institute?
Despite a data-driven approach to school improvement, most typical schools find themselves stuck within an achievement trendline of ten percentile points, unable to break away to consistently higher academic growth and proficiency levels. Mining their students’ test score data, these schools are almost always confronted by the uncomfortable truth that many of their students are slipping further and further behind or are now multiple years below grade level. Unfortunately, this often leads to the Cycle of Low Achievement. This cycle locks many schools into an achievement rut, unable to close learning gaps or recover from learning loss. To break this cycle, schools need to focus on creating grade-level assignments.
Students can do no better than the instruction and assignments that we give them. If schools fail to create assignments and assessments that are not aligned with grade-level standards, students may appear to be performing well, but they are not learning or completing work on which they will be tested or expected to master in a school year.
Exemplary Schools use a system for consistently planning and assigning lesson instruction and assessments that reflect high expectations and grade-level appropriate work. The Accelerating Learning with Effective Assignments Trainer Institute provides educators with a roadmap for generating assignments and assessments from grade-level standards that integrate content, literacy, and thinking skills. In addition, you will learn how to differentiate grade-level assignments so that all students can succeed while maintaining high expectations.

Learn how to break the cycle!
Your Facilitator
Catherine Schwoebel
With over 16 years of experience in K-12 education, Catherine Schwoebel is a dedicated instructional coach, curriculum specialist, and teacher mentor. She has spent the last decade coaching educators in elementary and middle schools, supporting them in curriculum development, standards alignment, and data-driven instructional strategies. Catherine holds a North Carolina teaching license and a K-12 Curriculum Instructional Specialist certification, complemented by an Executive Certificate in Instructional Design Technology and ongoing Ph.D. studies in the same field.
As a military spouse of 18 years and mother of two, Catherine brings a unique perspective to her work, connecting personally with the challenges faced by military families and students. Her commitment to excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning drives her mission to create meaningful educational experiences that empower students and educators to thrive.

Learning Goals

You Will Be Able To...
- Evaluate Assignments for quality.
- Plan meaningful and challenging standards-driven lesson assignments integrating content, grade-level writing expectations, and Higher Order Thinking.
- Adapt and using rubrics to guide the completion of assignments.
- Differentiate Assignments based on student readiness and interest.
- Identify specific Struggle Points for grade-level Assignments.
You Will Know...
- The purpose of assignments.
- The relationship between assignments and expectations.
- The importance of closing the assignment gap.
- The rationale for planning assignments before planning instruction.
- The characteristics of challenging assignments:
What You Receive
In addition to learning how to design effective assignments,
participants will receive the following resources and materials ($125 value):
When and Where
At Learning-Focused Training Center
Location
- 200 District Dr. Ste 001, Asheville, NC 28803
Dates
- July 22-23, 2025
Time
- 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM each day

Our training center is designed for intimate training, with only 22 spots available. We aim to provide a wonderful learning experience to help you grow your network through collaboration.