Elizabeth Foster
Senior Vice President, Research and Strategy
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. She contributes to the design, facilitation, and evaluation of networks. Prior to Learning Forward, Elizabeth was the vice president of strategic initiatives at the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) where she led a major research investigation about educator support systems that resulted in a report entitled What Matters Now (2016) and a successful three-year improvement network with Learning Forward. Her published work includes studies on teacher recruitment, preparation, and professional learning, urban teacher shortages, community college teacher preparation, professional learning communities, and the demographics of the education workforce. Elizabeth started out with an operating foundation in New York City that supported public education innovation projects, then worked in middle school special education in Boston and staffed a research project about inclusion with the Harvard RALLY project. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her two incredible daughters, as well as other family and friends – especially on the beach.
All Articles
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To make educational decisions, look beyond one study
Researchers and informed consumers of research know that no single study is definitive. Developing a broad and multifaceted body of research is the best way to understand a topic and draw lessons for practice and policy. This allows for simultaneously seeing the big picture of a topic as well as […] -
Study examines teachers’ learning about technology integration
Technology’s ubiquitous presence in schools is not new, but rapid advancements in technology capabilities have many educators looking for advice on effective and responsible use. Technology integration is both a focus of and a method for professional learning, as articulated in the Learning Designs standard of the Standards for Professional […] -
5 tips for documenting professional learning’s impact
Learning Forward is committed to documenting the impact of professional learning, including changes in educators’ knowledge, skills, beliefs and practices, and, ultimately, changes in student outcomes. Evaluating impact helps stakeholders at many levels make decisions based on what works best, for whom, and why. It also helps professional learning leaders […] -
Curriculum-based professional learning benefits students and teachers
Corinne Zaccaria, a 6th-grade math teacher in the School District of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, knew that using a high-quality curriculum in her classroom was important. But when her school began using Illustrative Mathematics, a curriculum that is highly rated by independent reviewers, she found it daunting. “At the beginning of […] -
Research strengthens curriculum-based professional learning
Researchers and education leaders have long argued that professional learning is most effective when grounded in day-to-day instructional practices — that is, in what educators teach and how. Curriculum is a fundamental part of that equation. Studies have found that increasing the quality and rigor of curriculum and instructional materials […] -
We’re broadening our research focus, thanks to your feedback
The decision to pivot — the theme of this issue of The Learning Professional — usually comes from new information that suggests a need for change. This column is using information from you, our readers, to pivot to a more expansive focus on professional learning evaluation, evidence, and data alongside […] -
OECD report underscores global need for teacher learning
OECD. (2023). Teaching for the future: Global engagement, sustainability and digital skills. International Summit on the Teaching Profession. OECD Publishing. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) hosts an annual International Summit on the Teaching Profession that brings together education ministers, union leaders, policymakers, and teacher leaders from all […] -
Shifting from searching for support to using evidence-based tools to advance high-quality professional learning
Standards Week featured a daily 30-minute high-impact dose of standards-based improvement insights! This year’s Standards for Professional Learning Week showcased educational leaders and field practitioners in various roles who shared how effective educator professional learning can provide solutions to many of today’s challenges in K-12 education. -
Shifting from misalignment to rigor with high-quality curriculum and instructional materials
Standards Week featured a daily 30-minute high-impact dose of standards-based improvement insights. This year’s Standards for Professional Learning Week showcased educational leaders and field practitioners in various roles who shared how effective educator professional learning can provide solutions to many of today’s challenges in K-12 education. -
Shifting from hoping for the best to measuring impact through standards-aligned professional learning
Standards Week featured a daily 30-minute high-impact dose of standards-based improvement insights. This year’s Standards for Professional Learning Week showcased educational leaders and field practitioners in various roles who shared how effective educator professional learning can provide solutions to many of today’s challenges in K-12 education.
