Summary - Focused Interventions to Improve Executive Function Skills P26.4445. Online registration by Cvent

Have you ever worked with a student who just can’t seem to grasp a certain concept, no matter how hard either of you tries? Or perhaps you may have encountered a student whose desk is such a mess that s/he can never seem to remember where s/he put things? Or a student who, having just listened to you explain directions, has no idea where to start? While frustrating, these scenarios (and others like them) can be explained by a deficit in a student’s executive function (EF) skills. Executive functioning involves the neurological processes used by students to consciously control their thoughts, emotions, and actions so that goals can be set and achieved. This online course begins by explaining what executive functioning is and how critical it is to the learning process. Teachers will take a deep dive into eight core EFs that control not only students’ ability to think metacognitively, but their ability to respond appropriately using their social-emotional skills. The role of working memory is explored first, as it is an essential element in the processing, storing, and retrieval of information. Teachers will learn how this critical executive function interacts with seven additional EFs — task initiation, planning and prioritizing, organization, self-monitoring, impulse control, shift (a/k/a cognitive flexibility), and emotional control. Teachers will be provided with thorough background information on each executive skill, as well as the implications for teaching and learning. Within each executive function, the course takes a deep dive into strategic focused interventions that help students who have these executive deficits. By the end of this course, teachers will feel more confident and successful in their quest to incorporate explicit, direct, and strategic instruction within reading, writing, and mathematics so their students with EF deficits can succeed academically and achieve a growth mindset.

Grade Level: K-12

Instructional Media

Interactive Communication: Online discussions, engagement, and collaboration among participants.
Instructor Support: Feedback and interaction from the instructor.
Instructional Materials: Access to online resources, supplemental materials, and printable classroom tools.

Methods of Evaluation: tests, personal goal-setting, reflections on articles/videos, class collaboration, a cumulative project, and a final practicum.

Review the course syllabus for expected learning outcomes and detailed methods of evaluation for this course.

This PDI course is fully self-paced—you may register and begin at any time.

Current Session

Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026
Coursework Due: November 15, 2026 (you may finish earlier)
Grades Released: September 2, 2026
Please allow up to two weeks from this date—or from your completion date thereafter—for your grade to be processed and delivered to ASDN.

Next Session

Registration opens October 16, 2026, with coursework due April 15, 2027, and grades released beginning January 2, 2027.

Cancellation Policy
You may cancel within one week of registration. A $125 cancellation fee will apply.

Extensions or transfers are not permitted.