Dallas, Texas – Learning Forward is pleased to announce that two of its leaders are at the forefront of driving meaningful change through lending their service and expertise to catalytic organizations and initiatives championing exemplary support for K-12 teachers and leaders.
Learning Forward’s Frederick Brown elected board chair of Learning First Alliance
The Learning First Alliance, an alliance of associations advancing trust, investment, and equity in public education for each and every learner, is pleased to announce the election of Frederick Brown, president and CEO of Learning Forward, as the Chair of its Board of Directors. “It is an honor to serve as chair of the Learning First Alliance,” Brown said. “In this pivotal time for public education, our collective efforts to support and elevate the teaching profession are more important than ever.” According to Richard Long, executive director of Learning First Alliance, “As our new chair, Frederick Brown’s vision and leadership will benefit the organization as we continue our work on behalf of students and their educators.”
Learning Forward’s Melinda George speaking at White House digital learning summit August 15
“The most effective way to close the digital design divide is to provide all educators with high-quality, standards-aligned professional learning,” according to Melinda George, Learning Forward’s Chief Policy Officer. “Digital tools are only truly effective when educators are supported through coaching, mentoring, in-school practice time, and observations of colleagues.” George is sharing her expertise this week at a Washington, D.C., summit of education leaders who are gathering to explore solutions to close the digital learning gap.
Exploring how we can build systems of professional learning to best support all educators in developing the skills and knowledge on emerging technology is one of the four problems of practice that will be explored at “White House and U.S. Department of Education Summit on Digital Equity, Inclusion, and Emerging Technology,” Aug. 15, at the National Press Club. “The key words in this problem of practice are systems of professional learning, George said. “Developing educators’ skills and knowledge around the use of technology is not something that is one and done. It must be planned and implemented as ongoing, job-embedded and collaborative professional learning. Educators must be given the space to try new techniques, reflect on the effectiveness of the tool and its implementation and the ability to revise their implementation according to feedback and reflection.”
Digital Promise described the summit as an opportunity to be part of the conversation on creating a more equitable future for all learners with an audience of equity-minded organizations, state and local leaders, federal agencies, and educational technology experts. In addition to professional learning systems, attendees will examine transformative strategies for engaging families in supporting their children’s education, data interoperability and portability that support high-mobility student populations, and practical frameworks that would help education systems effectively assess and integrate emerging technologies into their curricula and administrative processes.
Learning Forward is a member of the consortium that developed the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan.
“We have a vision where all professional learning – whether in support of technology or any other critical tool in schools – is standards aligned,” George said. “This will ensure that the technology is employed in ways that support all of the students and educators in a particular school or district and that it is used in service of meeting the needs of all students and educators.”
A tremendous opportunity for professional learning in support of technology is using the technology to deliver and access the professional learning, George said. “Everyone – students and educators – need to have access in order to move forward.”
Read The Learning Professional article on how professional learning can help close digital divides.
Media Contact: Gail Paul, gail.paul@learningforward.org
