This spring, the Orange County Department of Education will bring educators together for a professional learning experience focused on strengthening language and literacy instruction for multilingual learners at the Project GLAD® Spring Institute 2026: Roadmap to Success.
Scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026, the one-day conference at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa is designed to equip educators with the latest research-based strategies that support language acquisition and academic achievement. The event is open to teachers, coaches, trainers and educational leaders from across the county and beyond.
Inspired by the California English Learner Roadmap, this year’s theme emphasizes laying the groundwork for educators to map out a clear path to success for multilingual learners.
“The Spring Institute strengthens the Project GLAD® community by bringing together practitioners, coaches and district leaders to deepen their understanding of language-rich instruction,” said Dr. Nicole Chávez, senior administrator of the OCDE Project GLAD® National Training Center. “It reinforces shared commitments, builds collective expertise and ensures that Project GLAD® practices continue to evolve in service of multilingual learners.”
Participants will engage in interactive sessions led by expert trainers, explore how Project GLAD® supports California initiatives and connect with a community of educators committed to multilingualism, biliteracy and student success. The Institute is designed for both experienced Project GLAD® educators and those new to the model.
Featured presenters include Dr. Soomin Chao and Dr. Laura Keisler from California State University, Fullerton, whose work focuses on advancing research and educator preparation to improve language acquisition.
Registration is available at an early-bird rate of $325 through Jan. 31, 2026, with regular registration priced at $400 from Feb. 1 through April 15. Registration includes full-day sessions, breakfast and lunch, complimentary parking and digital access to session materials. For more information or to register, visit the event website. For questions regarding conference content, contact the Project GLAD® National Training Center at ProjectGLAD@ocde.us. For registration or payment questions, contact Joanna Robold at JoannaRobold@ocde.us.