PBL for All Students: Equity, Engagement, and Empowerment

PBL for All Students: Equity, Engagement, and Empowerment

From CA Today by CA Today

December 1, 2025 · 1h 1m · Season 6 · Episode 4

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of Project-Based Learning on student engagement and equity in education.

In this episode of CA Today , host Lindsay Simpson sits down with two fellow CABOCES Coordinators— Bonnie Wagner , Special Education Coordinator, and Sarah Cartmill , Curriculum Coordinator—to unpack the power of Project-Based Learning (PBL) . Fresh from a regional training with PBLWorks , they share insights on how PBL transforms classrooms into student-centered environments that foster engagement, equity, and future-ready skills. We explore how PBL connects to IEP goals , supports transition services , and creates authentic opportunities for literacy growth . From scaffolding strategies to building confidence through public presentations, this conversation highlights practical ways educators can make learning meaningful for all students. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How PBL helps embed IEP goals and supports diverse learners. Strategies for increasing student motivation and ownership through real-world projects. Ways PBL integrates literacy skills across content areas. How PBL aligns with Portrait of a Graduate competencies like collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Tips for starting your first PBL unit with confidence. Thank you to today's hosts! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

People in this episode

Host: Lindsay Simpson

Guests: Bonnie Wagner, Sarah Cartmill

Topics covered

  • Project-Based Learning
  • student engagement
  • equity in education
  • IEP goals
  • literacy growth
  • educator strategies

Keywords

  • Project-Based Learning
  • student-centered environments
  • IEP goals
  • literacy skills
  • educator strategies
  • real-world projects

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PBLWorks

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