California Motivation Institute
Build faculty and broader institutional capacity to support student motivation and success through evidence-based practices designed for math and English instruction.
The California Motivate Institute is a statewide professional learning opportunity designed to support California community colleges in strengthening classroom practices in math and English. The Institute supports instructors at individual institutions to engage in collaborative learning, implementation support, and peer exchange focused on advancing equitable pathways and student outcomes in math and English.
The team from Motivate Lab has been working with California community colleges since 2023 as a part of the Chancellor’s Office efforts to support implementation of AB1705. This new opportunity allows individual institutions to have direct, customized support to improve instructional practices in their broader math and English pathways.
What Participating Colleges Can Expect
A high-support experience that helps faculty build the knowledge, confidence, and tools to strengthen student motivation and success.
Master Evidence-Based Motivation Science
Faculty will learn and apply the Mindset GPS framework—a research-backed approach—as a part of an online, mostly asynchronous course for math and English instruction that addresses Growth Mindset, Purpose & Relevance, and a Sense of Belonging.
Transform Classroom Practice Through Guided Implementation
Move beyond theory to action with structured support for implementing motivational strategies, classroom-ready tools, and ongoing coaching through Communities of Practice.
Co-Developed Resource Library
Gain access to strategies and tools including implementation guides, along with continuously updated resources shaped by emerging research and collaboration with campus faculty.
Program Components
A structured approach that combines coursework, collaboration, and applied implementation to support lasting instructional change.
Motivating Learners Course
- An asynchronous, virtual course
- 15-20 hours of instruction
- Application activities to design materials that can be immediately used in practice
- Courses for math and English faculty
- One-hour virtual kickoff
Four Communities of Practice
- Monthly 60-minute sessions over four months
- Sessions are virtual and synchronous
- Collaborative problem-solving
- Potential cross-departmental learning
Co-Developed Resource Hub
Motivate Lab and participating faculty will co-develop resources that are responsive to campus needs and usable in local instructional contexts.
For an example from community colleges in Tennessee, see the TBR Mindset Repository.Comprehensive Faculty Development Package
A series of training, development, and support activities designed to support up to 40 faculty members across math and English.
$70,000
Supports up to 40 faculty members with a full sequence of learning, collaboration, and implementation support.
Colleges are encouraged to use their AB 1705 grant funds to support this effort.
Ideal For
- Colleges new to Motivate Lab
- Returning colleges ready to deepen implementation
- Comprehensive training for both math and English faculty
- Campuses seeking a clear path from theory to practice
Extend the Work
Additional options for campuses that want to expand participation, accelerate momentum, or support broader systems change.
Colleges may be able to use their AB 1705 grant funds to support some or all of these efforts.
Beyond Math and English
Extend professional development opportunities to faculty outside of math and English instruction.
Includes
- The Motivating Learners Course
- Four Communities of Practice
$1,000 per faculty member
Full-Day Workshop
An intensive, campus-wide professional development experience designed to jumpstart institutional transformation and support systems change.
Includes
- Five-hour interactive workshop
- Evidence-based strategies for implementation
- Post-workshop implementation toolkit
$30,000 (up to 40 participants)
Develop Institutional Capacity for Sustained Change
Build not just individual faculty skills but college-wide capacity through strategic planning and leadership support to implement motivationally-supportive practices for students, faculty, and staff.
Includes
- Individual and group consulting for institutional leaders
- Targeted workshops on strategic planning
$5,000 - $20,000 per institution
Implementation Timeline
We recommend a five-month arc that supports faculty learning, reflection, and application over time. Implementation details will be finalized with each individual institution.
Launch + Course Begins
Kickoff and initial course engagement establish the foundation for the work ahead.
Community of Practice
Fostering Growth Mindsets
Community of Practice
Cultivating Purpose and Relevance
Community of Practice
Stimulating a Sense of Belonging
Community of Practice
Bringing It All Together
Resource Hub
Instructional resources co-created with institutional faculty and Motivate Lab.
Request More Information
Complete the form below to connect with our team about the California Motivation Institute and explore fit, timing, and next steps for your institution