Summer Institutes at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida provide classroom teachers and other educational leaders with an opportunity to improve practice. These institutes encourage collaboration among professionals and allow time for learning and application in each participant’s unique school context. Teachers delve deeply into practices already in place, question current techniques, and learn new approaches. P.K. Yonge uses the LDC instructional design system as one of the primary methods of engaging students in academic writing and preparing them to meet the Florida and Common Core Standards.
In June 2015, P.K. Yonge, in collaboration with the National Literacy Project, offered a professional learning institute that gave practicing educators an opportunity to explore best practices in evidence-based writing instruction for grades 6–12. Fifteen teachers and instructional coaches came together as learners and experienced LDC from a student perspective.