Official Site of The State of New Jersey
2026-2027 Professional Learning Opportunities
Background
Communities of Practice (CoP), Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Learning Labs, and Action Learning Groups (ALGs) provide opportunities for New Jersey school personnel to collaborate, share knowledge, and enhance their practice in supporting students with disabilities. These structured learning opportunities foster relationships among educators and professionals who share a common interest in improving student outcomes.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Office of Special Education (OSE) invites school personnel to review the opportunities listed in the table below for the 2026-2027 school year and register for the series that best aligns with their role and interests. Participants in each learning series will be expected to attend all scheduled meetings outlined in the table. Participation is limited to ensure meaningful engagement. Please review the offerings below and register for the series that best fits your current role within the district.
Deadline to Register: August 2, 2026
2026-2027 Offerings and Registration Links
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Learning Series Topic |
Intended Audience & Brief Description |
Location |
Meeting Dates |
Registration Link |
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Applied Behavior Analysis in Public Schools - Community of Practice |
Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who work in public school-based settings supporting students with disabilities who have not attended previous years' CoP. Attendees are to attend all four sessions. |
In-Person Learning Resource Center-North (East Orange) |
Sept. 29, 2026 Dec. 1, 2026 Jan. 19, 2027 Mar. 16, 2027 |
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Applied Behavior Analysis in Public Schools for Returning BCBAs -Professional Learning Community |
An offering for returning BCBAs CoPBA participants. Designed to sustain engagement and professional growth for experienced BCBAs who previously attended the CoP, this Professional Learning Community (PLC) will maintain continuity of professional learning on the school-based competencies through peer-led collaboration and reflection. |
Virtual |
Dec. 11, 2026 Feb. 12, 2027 Apr. 9, 2027 |
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Autism Spectrum Disorder - Community of Practice |
Self-contained teachers from grades K-12 who support students with autism in self-contained classrooms. Attendees are to attend all four sessions. |
In-Person Learning Resource Center-Central (Trenton) |
Oct. 6, 2026 Dec. 8, 2026 Jan. 26, 2027 Mar. 23, 2027 |
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Autism Program Quality Indicators-Revised (APQI-R) -Implementation Coaching |
This coaching series is designed for LEA teams that have not yet begun the APQI-R self-assessment and are seeking structured guidance from the NJDOE Office of Special Education to support initial implementation, team preparation, and informed use of the self-assessment process and data. |
Varies Individual LEA coaching based on LEA needs |
TBD based on LEA and NJDOE OSE availability |
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Building Family-School Partnerships – Community of Practice |
Individuals from each participating LEA, comprising administrators, CST members, parents, and SEPAG members, will participate in a community learning group. Participants will collaborate with OSE Specialists to study current practices of family engagement and identify best practices for improvement. Sessions will include case study reviews, interactive activities, review/discussion of evidence-based practices, developing tools and resources to support building family-school relationships. Participants will also experience diverse aspects of family engagement provided by various presenters. |
In-Person Learning Resource Center-Central |
Sept. 30, 2026 Dec. 7, 2026* Feb. 22, 2027 * May 3, 2027 *Virtual Session |
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Case Manager -Community of Practice |
This CoP is designed for public and charter school case managers with 0–3 years of special education case‑management experience, focusing on essential special education law and compliance while strengthening key daily skills, including caseload organization, deadline management, and effective communication and documentation. |
In-Person Learning Resource Center-Central |
Oct. 15, 2026 Dec. 10, 2026 Feb. 4, 2027 Apr. 12, 2027 |
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Educators Who Work in Programs for 18-21-year-olds - Community of Practice |
Teachers, Transition Coordinators, administrators, and other school professionals who are stakeholders in an 18-21-year-old program are welcome to join our Community of Practice. The 18-21 CoP is an opportunity to collaborate, learn, enhance, and share ideas with colleagues. |
In-Person & Virtual Learning Resource Center-North Satellite (Wayne) |
Oct. 13, 2026 Dec. 3, 2026* Mar. 9, 2027 May 2027 tbd* *Virtual Session |
Registration Link for CoP for Educators Who Work in Programs for 18-21-year-olds |
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Learning Resource Center-North (East Orange) |
Oct. 6, 2026 Dec. 3, 2026* Mar. 2, 2027 May 2027 tbd* *Virtual Session |
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Learning Resource Center-Central (Trenton) |
Oct. 8, 2026 Dec. 3, 2026* Mar. 4, 2027 May tbd* *Virtual Session |
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Learning Resource Center-South (Glassboro) |
Oct. 27, 2026 Dec. 3, 2026* Mar. 11, 2027 May 2027 tbd* *Virtual Session |
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Emotional Behavioral Program Quality (EBPQI) Indicators – Action Learning Group |
A team of 3-5 individuals from each participating local education agency will engage in the EBPQI Action Learning Group (AGL), a structured, hands-on learning experience. Teams will work alongside OSE specialists to analyze their current practices using the EBPQI, identify priority areas for improvement, and examine gaps in the implementation of the EBPQI. Through this process, each LEA team will develop a data-informed theory of action to guide implementation and systems-level change. |
In-Person Learning Resource Center – Central (Trenton) *Must attend virtual information session |
In-Person Oct. 13, 2026 Dec. 15, 2026 Feb. 16, 2027 May 11, 2027 Information Session June 1, 2026* |
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Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) LEA Train-the-Trainer Series |
The FBA Train-the-Trainer Series is for a team (4-5) of school district personnel (e.g., administrator, teacher, CST members, BCBAs, etc.). This initiative is designed to build district capacity by training select LEA teams to serve as internal trainers for the complex FBA process. Attendees are to attend all dates in the session for that location, and at least one administrator-level person is to be on the team and attend all sessions. |
In-Person Learning Resource Center – North (East Orange) OR Central (Trenton) |
East Orange Sept. 23, 2026 Oct. 7, 2026 Oct. 28, 2026 Dec. 9, 2026 Or Trenton Feb. 9, 2027 Feb. 23, 2027 Mar. 9, 2027 April 27, 2027 |
Registration Link for Team-Based FBA Training |
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Learning Lab: Autism and Early Literacy |
For educators of students with autism, the Autism and Literacy Learning Lab offers a deep dive into how students with autism engage with and develop literacy skills. This full-day session explores the five pillars of reading through the lens of autism learning profiles, highlighting how differences in language, cognition, and sensory processing impact literacy development. Participants will leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies, tools for reflection, and actionable approaches to strengthen literacy instruction and support all learners. |
In-Person Choose either Learning Resource Center – Central (Trenton) OR North (East Orange) |
Trenton Oct. 27, 2026 OR East Orange Jan. 12, 2027 |
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Learning Lab: Becoming a Sensory Aware Classroom for Students with Autism |
For educators, including teachers, BCBAs, and related service providers, the Becoming a Sensory Aware Classroom for Students with Autism Learning Lab offers a deep dive into how sensory needs impact learning and behavior across school environments. This full-day session explores the core components of creating inclusive, sensory-aware classrooms and schools, equipping participants with practical strategies, reflective tools, and an actionable plan to support all learners. |
In-Person Choose either Learning Resource Center – Central (Trenton) OR North (East Orange) |
Trenton Oct. 20, 2026 OR East Orange Feb. 2, 2027 |
Registration Link for Learning Lab: Becoming a Sensory Aware Classroom |
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Learning Lab: Evidence-Based Practices for Students with Autism |
For educators, including teachers, IEP Teams, BCBAs, and related service providers of students with autism, the Learning Lab: Evidence-Based Practices for Students with Autism offers a clear and practical look at instructional and behavioral approaches that drive meaningful outcomes. This eight-session virtual series highlights 1-2 evidence-based practices per session, giving participants flexible access to targeted two-hour deep dives. Whether you join one session, several, or the full series, attendees will gain practical strategies, concise implementation guidance, and tools they can use immediately to strengthen instruction and support student learning across school environments. |
Virtual |
Session 1 Oct. 2, 2026 Topic: Antecedent-Based Interventions |
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Session 2 Nov 13, 2026 Topic: Differential Reinforcement |
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Session 3 Dec. 4, 2026 Topic: Prompting |
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Session 4 Jan. 8, 2027 Topic: Modeling |
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Session 5 Feb. 5, 2027 Topic: Functional Communication Training |
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Session 6 Mar. 5, 2027 Topic: Task Analysis |
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Session 7 Apr. 2, 2027 Topic: Naturalistic Interventions |
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Session 8 May 7, 2027 Topic: Consequence-Based Strategies |
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Learning Lab: Pillars in Practice: Early Literacy for Students with Disabilities |
K–3 educators of students with disabilities, literacy coaches, and administrators are invited to choose one or more sessions to strengthen their knowledge and practice in the five pillars of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. |
Virtual |
Session 1 Oct. 8, 2026 Topic: Phonemic Awareness |
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Session 2 Nov. 12, 2026 Topic: Phonics |
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Session 3 Dec. 10, 2026 Topic: Fluency |
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Session 4 Jan. 14, 2027 Topic: Vocabulary |
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Session 5 Feb. 11, 2027 Topic: Comprehension |
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Least Restrictive Environment Action Learning Group |
Building on the success of the inaugural LRE Action Learning Group cohort, the OSE is pleased to announce the expansion of the LRE Action Learning Group (ALG) with the launch of Cohort 2 for the 2026–2027 school year. This professional learning and improvement initiative supports LEA leadership teams in moving beyond LRE rates to explore the reality (i.e., practices, culture) behind their local data, identify success gaps for specific student groups, and build a team-based plan for meaningful, sustainable improvement. The LRE Action Learning Group is a six-session, team-based professional learning cohort spanning the academic year. Attendance at the upcoming information session is required for at least one (1) member of an LEA’s leadership team who is interested in applying to participate in Cohort 2. |
Hybrid Choose either Learning Resource Center – Central (Trenton) OR North Satellite |
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Program Overview and Registration Link for Information Session* scheduled for June 3, 2026 from 11AM to 12PM. *Must attend virtual information session |
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Preschool Special Education Community of Practice |
Preschool educators, administrators, and other professionals working with children ages 3-5 in general education, separate, inclusive, or private preschool settings are invited to join our CoP. This CoP provides a collaborative space for preschool professionals to enhance their skills, share best practices, and connect with colleagues dedicated to improving outcomes for children with IEPs. |
Virtual* & In-Person |
Sept. 22, 2026* Dec. 8, 2026* Feb. 9, 2027* May 11, 2027* June 2, 2027 *Virtual Sessions |
Registration Link for Preschool Special Education CoP |
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Speech and Language -Community of Practice |
The Speech and Language CoP is for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and diverse educators serving students with Speech-Language disorders in New Jersey public schools. Cohort 4 will collaborate to improve practices that lead to positive outcomes for students ages 3-21 and the staff serving them. |
In-Person and Virtual* Learning Resource Center – Central and Virtual TEAMS Meeting |
Trenton Oct. 1, 2026 Dec. 1, 2026* Feb. 25, 2027* May 5, 2027 *Virtual Sessions |
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Speech and Language- Professional Learning Community |
An offering for returning Speech and Language CoP participants. Designed to sustain engagement and professional growth for experienced members, this Professional Learning Community (PLC) will maintain continuity and connection through peer-led collaboration and reflection. This PLC will meet virtually three times per school year (2 hours per session). |
Virtual |
Oct. 8, 2026 Dec. 16, 2026 Mar. 2, 2027 |
For additional information or assistance, please email OSEInfo@doe.nj.gov. For additional resources on educating and supporting students with disabilities, please visit the NJDOE Offices of Special Education, the Learning Resource Center Network, and the Office of Special Education Engagement websites regularly.