Maximize Your Summer: Why PD Matters and How to Join Our Summer PD Challenge

Summer is a valuable time for educators—not just for rest and recharge, but also for professional growth. According to a national RAND study, 99% of U.S. teachers engage in some form of professional development (PD) over the summer—and the majority say it’s just as helpful (or more so) than what their districts provide during the school year. Summer professional development (PD) offers educators a chance to sharpen skills, reflect on instructional practices, and plan for greater student success.

At Progress Learning, we know the power of continuous learning. That’s why we’re excited to launch our 2025 Summer PD Challenge—a fun and flexible way to stay engaged, explore our platform, and prepare for the year ahead.

Why Summer PD Is Worth It

1. Time to Reflect and Refocus

Without the day-to-day classroom responsibilities, summer gives educators the mental space to evaluate what worked during the school year—and what didn’t. Teachers nationally reported that summer PD was especially helpful for improving instruction in the upcoming school year; it’s the perfect time to explore new tools and strategies that can enhance student outcomes. 

2. Build Confidence in New Tools

In RAND’s research, teachers in academic-focused summer programs were more likely to report growth in using data, SEL strategies, and student-centered practices—thanks in part to more feedback opportunities and fewer school-year constraints. Whether it’s diving deeper into data reports, customizing assessments, or using intervention tools like Liftoff, summer PD allows educators to experiment in a no-pressure environment.

3. Get Ahead for Fall

PD done now pays off later. Educators can enter the fall semester with ready-to-use assignments, assessments aligned to state standards, and a plan to track and respond to student progress from day one.

4. Stay Connected with Your Purpose

The RAND study found that summer programs often reignite teacher passion by giving them space to experiment and focus on student-centered strategies—reminding us of why we do what we do, and our Summer PD Challenge is designed to do just that!

What’s the Summer PD Challenge?

Our 2025 Summer PD Challenge is built around a choice board of activities that let you explore Progress Learning at your own pace. Choose at least 5 of the 9 activities—such as building a custom assessment, exploring state practice assessments, or reflecting on how you’ll track student growth.

Once you’ve completed your activities, share your progress on social media and submit the form by July 31 for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card for your classroom!

What You’ll Gain

• Deeper understanding of tools like Focus Areas and Learning Paths
• Practice using the Sample Student View to simulate student experience
• Fresh ideas for student engagement and growth tracking
• Resources to help you start the school year strong
  

Whether you’re a first-time user or a longtime Progress Learning educator, this is your opportunity to boost your skills and set the stage for a successful school year.

Let’s make this summer count. We’ll see you in the challenge!