What are the Summer Institutes?

The two Summer Institutes 2027 are concurrent residential gatherings for teachers, parents, school leaders, and other educators who wish to examine issues of teaching and learning through the perspective of Descriptive Inquiry.

The Institute on Descriptive Process (Institute 1) is appropriate for people who are new to these processes. If you have significant experience with the processes previously, the Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2) may be more appropriate.

The Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2) is appropriate for people who have had significant experience with these processes. If you are new to working with these processes, the Institute on Descriptive Process (Institute 1) would be more appropriate.

If you are unsure which Institute to join, email [email protected] with your inquiry before registering.

For more information about the work we do, check out our website here.

General Information

Dates and Location

The Institute on Descriptive Process (Institute 1) will take place Sunday, July 11 - Friday, July 16, 2027 at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.

The Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2) will take place Sunday, July 11- Thursday, July 22, 2027 at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. Participants can opt to attend either the First Week, the Second Week (three and a half days this year), or both.

Fees

July 11 - July 16 (First Week), Room & Board - $1260
July 11 - July 16 (First Week), Day attendee (includes 3 meals per day!) - $945
July 11 - July 22 (First and Second Weeks), Room & Board - $1830
July 11 - July 22 (First and Second Weeks) - Day attendee (includes 3 meals per day!) - $1370
July 18 (Sunday evening dinner) - July 22 (Second Week Only), Room & Board - $950
July 18 (Sunday evening dinner) - July 22 (Second Week Only), Day attendee (includes 3 meals per day!) - $700

Add-ons

An additional 3 meals per day (e.g., for a partner or child not attending the Institute) - $280 for First Week only, $415 for First and Second Weeks, $140 for Second Week only.
An additional room - $525 for First Week or Second Week only, $1050 for First and Second Weeks.

Families are encouraged to stay at the nearby Hyatt Place.

Cancellation

If you need to cancel after registering, please email our Registrar, Alexis, at [email protected]. If you cancel by May 15, we will refund your payment in full minus the deposit. If you cancel after May 15 and before May 30, we will refund 50% of the total cost minus the deposit. We will not be able to provide a refund after May 30 as our small non-profit will be financially responsible for those registered on that date. Should you need to cancel after May 30 due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., death in the family, sickness, or hospitalization), you can contact the Registrar with an appeal.

Financial Support

This year we are offering two types of financial support to attend the institute: tuition support and full grants. Tuition support and grant requests are due April 30, 2027.

If you are applying for tuition support or a grant, we ask that you do not complete registration at this time. Please do complete your tuition support or grant application to hold your spot at the Summer Institute. If you receive a grant, you will be given a coupon code to use when you register that will reflect the amount received. We will notify you of tuition support and grant decisions by May 15, 2027.

Link to 2027 tuition support/full grant application will be available in the spring!

Check back after February 1!

If applying for tuition support or a grant, please do not complete registration at this time.

Complete your tuition support or grant application to indicate your interest in participating in the Summer Institute.

COVID Policy: IDI Covid Precautions Commitment (2027)

Note: This registration will take 5 - 10 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions or need to modify your registration after completion, please contact our registrar: [email protected]. For more information about the Institute on Descriptive Process, please check out our website: https://descriptiveinquiry.org/

Registration Options

Pay in full or pay $100 deposit due upon registration.

The remaining balance will be automatically charged on May 10th, 2027.

The Institute on Descriptive Process (Institute 1) for those who are new to descriptive inquiry processes.

The Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2) for those who have significant experience with descriptive inquiry processes.

I am registering for:

The Institute on Descriptive Process (Institute 1)
for those who are new to descriptive inquiry processes.
The Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2)
for those who have significant experience with descriptive inquiry processes.

Only register for 1 of the options below:

Institute on Descriptive Process (Institute 1)
Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2)

Both Institutes meet concurrently at the same location.

July 11-16, 2027 (Week One w/ Room & Board) ($1,260.00)
July 11-16, 2027 (Week One Day attendee) ($945.00)
Includes 3 meals a day

Institute on Descriptive Inquiry (Institute 2)

If attending Institute 1, please register for Week One above

July 11-22, 2027 (Weeks One and Two w/ Room & Board) ($1,830.00)
July 11-22, 2027 (Weeks One and Two Day attendee) ($1,370.00)
Includes 3 meals a day
July 18-22, 2027 (Week Two w/ Room & Board) ($950.00)
July 18-22,2027 (Week Two Day attendee) ($700.00)
Includes 3 meals a day

Personal Information

Name of attendee

School/ Affiliation

Phone Number

Address

Additional Rooms/Meal Plans for Guests

Families are encouraged to stay at the nearby Hyatt Place.

For a partner or child joining you on campus and not attending the Institute:

Additional Rooms

Additional Room - week 1 or 2:
$525.00 ea.
Add
Additional Room - weeks 1 and 2:
$1,050.00 ea.
Add

Additional Meals

Additional meal plan - Week 1
ADDITIONAL MEAL PLANS - e.g. for a partner or child joining you and not attending the Institute - $280 for 3 additional meals per day for one week. Add as many as necessary.
$280.00 ea.
Add
Additional meal plan - week 2
$140.00 ea.
Add
Additional meal plan - weeks 1 and 2:
$415.00 ea.
Add

If additional guests will be coming with you, we request that you fill out the information below to help us plan for them with the allocation of space and with the cafeteria.

Name of Guest 1

Name of Guest 2

Name of Guest 3

Please let us know the age(s) of additional guest(s) (e.g. infant, child, teenager, adult)

Any dietary restrictions or needs for your guest(s)?

Additional Questions

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Phone Number

Do you have any accessibility needs? Please describe.

Please note any dietary restrictions or needs

Any questions, comments, or concerns?

Affinity Groups

It may be appropriate to do some of our work in racial identity-based affinity groups. This article explains some of the reasons for doing work in racial identity-based affinity groups: https://arrow-journal.org/why-people-of-color-need-spaces-without-white-people/

Given the following options, which affinity group would you join based on your racial and ethnic identity?

NY State CTLE Credit

The Institute on Descriptive Inquiry is approved by New York State to offer Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) Credit. Please fill out this brief form if you would like to receive CTLE hours for your participation in the 2027 Summer Institutes.

Payment Options

Coupon Code

Total

$0.00

If you are an organization, you can register more attendees by clicking the button below:

Please register with only a deposit today when registering two or more participants from the same school. Once you register, our registrar will apply the following discounts based on the number of participants.

5% off for 2–3 participants
10% off for 4–6 participants
12% off for 7 or more participants (applies to full-price registrations only)

Please reach out to our Registrar, Alexis, at [email protected] with any further questions.

Almost done. Where should we send the confirmation?

Name of payer

I am representing an organization

Mobile Phone Number

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Institute on Descriptive Inquiry Summer Institutes Registration

Countdown to Summer Institutes:

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Registration Deadline: May 10, 2027