Learning Forward and the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future (NCTAF) today announced 12 finalists in its Agents for Learning challenge, a nationwide call to action designed to engage educator teams in advocating for the best use of federal funding for professional learning under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Learning Forward is pleased to see that the draft regulations for ESSA implementation from the U.S. Department of Education include a requirement for consolidated state plans to describe states’ systems for educator development, retention, and advancement, including how the state will “ensure that each LEA has and is implementing a system of professional growth and improvement for teachers, principals, and other school leaders….”

Learning Forward announces that Carver Middle School in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is the first recipient of the Learning School Designation, in recognition of its commitment to effective and continuous professional learning. Learning Forward collaborates with AdvancED®, a non-profit organization that provides products, services and support for education providers of all types around the world, to offer this designation. The Learning School Designation identifies a school as a model for results-driven, standards-based and job-embedded professional learning. Schools pursue the recognition to demonstrate their commitment to quality professional learning as a key strategy for school improvement.

Learning Forward has launched the Redesign PD Community of Practice to support 20 of the nation’s leading school districts and charter management organizations in addressing systemwide educator and student learning priorities. The community engages teams from the districts in identifying their local professional learning challenges and then creating scalable solutions. Learning Forward serves as the facilitator and coordinator of the community, offering expertise and support during face-to-face and virtual meetings.

Learning Forward and the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future (NCTAF) announced a competition yesterday that will invite teachers to submit written proposals for the best use of federal funding for professional learning under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). As part of their effort to highlight the critical role of teacher agency in professional learning, Learning Forward and NCTAF will use the competition to amplify and support teachers in understanding the provisions of ESSA aligning the allowable uses of funds under the law with their learning needs.

Learning Forward and the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) released a white paper today on the role that teacher agency plays in creating successful professional learning opportunities. The white paper, “Moving from Compliance to Agency: What Teachers Need to Make Professional Learning Work,” defines teacher agency as “the capacity of teachers to act purposefully and constructively to direct their professional growth and contribute to the growth of their colleagues.”

John Eyolfson, district science coordinator at Cherry Creek School District (CO), began his term as president of Learning Forward at the conclusion of the association's annual conference in National Harbor, MD, on December 10, 2015.

President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act, the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Stephanie Hirsh, executive director of Learning Forward, offered comments on the law, focusing specifically on the definition of professional development included in the legislation.

Learning Forward launched its 2015 Annual Conference this weekend at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Focusing on the theme Lead Change, Maximize Impact, more than 350 session presenters, keynoters, and thought leaders are facilitating inspirational learning with educators responsible for leading professional learning across the country and the world.

DALLAS — November 18, 2015 — Learning Forward and Corwin announce the Instructional Leadership Team from Braulio Alonso School in Tampa, Florida, as the winner of the 2015 Shirley Hord […]