Public Consulting Group (PCG) was proud to participate in the 2025 Council of the Great City Schools Curriculum, Research, and Instructional Leaders Conference, a national convening focused on real-world challenges and opportunities shaping urban education. This year’s conference brought together district leaders, content experts, and access and opportunity advocates to share high-impact practices, elevate student outcomes, and reimagine the future of instruction in America’s great city schools.

Come Explore: Our session, “Making Learning Local: How Districts Build Community-Centric Curriculum,” showcased leading voices from council member districts who shared evidence-based strategies, implementation-tested practices, and community-informed approaches that strengthen instructional quality and improve student outcomes across curriculum and support systems.

Jane Fleming, Director of Literacy, Chicago Public Schools

Melissa Aviles Ramos, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools

Michael Feeney, Executive Director, Elementary Education, Pinellas County Schools

Moderated by PCG Team Members Paul Wilson and Dr. Katanna Conley, the discussion centered on how large urban districts design and implement curriculum systems that reflect local priorities, engage communities, and improve student learning at scale.

PCG’s customized curriculum and implementation services help districts position all students to realize the promise of college and career readiness. Known for our development of New York State’s new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum and the Skyline ELA and Math Curriculum for Chicago Public Schools, we’re ready to help you learn what works, build what works, and do what works through targeted reviews, customized curriculum development, and implementation services tailored to district needs.

Meeting the diverse needs of students, families, and educators starts with listening. More districts are embracing community-centric curriculum to foster engagement and reflect the lived experiences of those they serve. PCG supports this work through collaborative planning and design grounded in local priorities.

Curriculum implementation in urban schools demands more than just new materials. It requires culturally relevant content, teacher training, and sustained collaboration across departments. PCG facilitates this process by aligning content development, professional learning, and implementation planning to district goals.

District leaders seek approaches that reflect their local context, drawing on internal expertise and external partnerships to shape curriculum that fits their unique goals. PCG helps districts navigate these choices, offering flexible frameworks and expert guidance to support effective, scalable customization.

Urban education is complex, and a commitment to community-centric curriculum can transform instructional landscapes. PCG partners with districts to ground their curriculum in local culture, values, and voices—strengthening school-community connections and deepening student engagement.

Innovation in urban education is built through aligned leadership and a shared commitment to student-centered practices. PCG works alongside district leaders to turn that commitment into action—supporting systems that drive relevance, coherence, and results.