Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
RESEARCH
Mixed-method report examines professional learning in the U.S.
By Elizabeth Foster
April 2026
In March 2026, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) submitted a research report related to professional learning and Title II-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to the chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Title II-A is a formula grant program providing funds to states and school districts to improve student achievement through high-quality professional learning and strategies to strengthen the teacher and leadership workforces. At approximately $2.2 billion dollars, it is the second largest federal funding stream for education behind Title I, the program that provides funding to districts serving large percentages of low-income students. At the request of Congress, the report’s goal was to “review whether Title II-A funds were being used in a manner likely
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References
Learning Forward (2025). Standards for Professional Learning.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2026). Research on effectiveness of professional development is mixed, but teachers find collaborative learning most useful (Report No. GAO-26-107874). learnfwd.org/999500
Elizabeth Foster is the senior vice president of research and strategy at Learning Forward. She leads the organization’s research efforts for partnerships, programs, and fundraising. Elizabeth co-wrote the Standards for Professional Learning (2022) with Tracy Crow and now facilitates learning sessions about the standards and develops resources that support their use and implementation.
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