3,300+ to convene in Washington, DC, for Annual Conference focusing on student success

Media Advisory

November 29, 2023

Event information: Gail Paul, gail.paul@learningforward.org

Media credentials: Scott Treibitz, 703/626-1407 or scott@tricompr.com

Learning Forward’s 54th Annual Conference will bring together more than 3,300 front-line educators, thought leaders, and experts to delve into critical topics shaping the future of K-12 public education. Being held December 3-6, 2023, at the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, the global educator professional learning conference is open to the media, but requires advance registration.

Session topics address urgent priorities faced by education leaders and policymakers, including:

• Reimagining K-12 public education: The conference will feature sessions on innovative approaches to reimagining public education, exploring new models and strategies to address the evolving needs of students.
• Educator professional learning: A focus on the professional development of educators, highlighting cutting-edge techniques and technologies that empower teachers to excel in the rapidly changing educational landscape.
• Professional learning vs. PD: The distinction matters. Meaningful professional learning – the kind that changes educator practice –  is job-embedded and sustained. It requires an ongoing continuum of support and a long-term plan that includes multiple stakeholders and systems.
• Building strong classroom practice: Professional learning that focuses on increasing student engagement and student voice, building STEM skills to compete in a rapidly changing economy and working to improve success for all students.
• Developing leaders in challenging times: Educators and administrators will gain insights into effective leadership strategies in times of polarization and adversity, equipping them to meet the needs of growing numbers of marginalized students and foster a productive school climate.
• Student learning acceleration: Addressing the impact of the recent disruptions on student learning, with a focus on evidence-based strategies to close student learning gaps and support academic recovery.
• Social Emotional School Challenges: Student behavior problems and mental health challenges are on the rise, according to teachers and principals. Why, and what can we do about it? Educator professional learning grounded in social and emotional development can help.
• Educator shortage: Tackling the nationwide challenge of educator shortages, the conference will examine innovative recruitment and retention strategies to ensure a robust and qualified teaching workforce.
• Impact from proposed federal budget cuts in the U.S.: Critical discussions on the potential impact of proposed federal budget cuts for FY24 on education, exploring ways to advocate for and protect essential resources for schools, with a focus on ensuring sustained funding for high-quality professional learning for all educators through Title II-A.

The conference program listing all sessions and events is here.

“Effective teaching and leading does not happen by accident,” said Frederick Brown, Learning Forward President & CEO. “Thankfully, in the last decade, the number of impact studies focused on teacher and leader professional learning programs has flourished. For example, we have a much better understanding of how integrating professional learning and high-quality curriculum materials; implementing the elements of effective leadership; and supporting high-performing networks and professional learning communities can have a huge impact on student learning. For four days next week (Dec. 3-6), Learning Forward’s Annual Conference will be the hub for the latest evidence-based professional learning approaches and innovative tools for attendees to grow in their careers and improve student outcomes.”

Media credentials:

For credentials or to arrange interviews, please contact Scott Treibitz at 703/626-1407 or email scott@tricompr.com.

Who attends:

Education leaders, including superintendents and other district staff; principals and assistant principals; directors of professional learning, directors of curriculum and instruction, and other administrators responsible for professional learning; instructional coaches and other leaders of professional learning; lead teachers and classroom teachers; along with those who lead, conceive, or evaluate professional learning from organizations outside of schools or school systems, for example universities and non-profit organizations.

About Learning Forward

Learning Forward leads the field in making clear connections between high-quality professional learning and student success. As a champion for highly effective professional learning and a catalyst for change, Learning Forward demonstrates evidence and research that inform professional learning decisions. We produce, synthesize, and curate key research and reports that inform best practices. A membership association, Learning Forward provides a combination of publicly available and members-only content and professional services that assist classroom, school, and system leaders in solving their unique problems of practice. Information about the organization, including Standards for Professional Learning, membership, services, and products, is available at www.learningforward.org.