Learning Forward

In Cultures Built to Last, Rick DuFour and Michael Fullan (2013) argue that widespread, systemic change is possible not only within schools but across districts through a focus on building culture. A group of educational leaders in Rhode Island believe that collaborative learning through an extended professional learning community can […]

What happens when teachers are given funding and time to identify and develop targeted and innovative professional learning? This article focuses on lessons learned from grants funded through the California Department of Education that were designed to do just this. As the state and the nation consider the best approaches […]

At Marylin Avenue School in Livermore, California, student achievement more than doubled from 2006 to 2013, even as the number of socioeconomically disadvantaged students increased from 66% to 88% and English language learner populations from 57% to 64%. Key to this continued growth in student achievement was the evolution of […]

Imagine having opportunities for teams of educators to come together regularly to engage in rich conversations about teaching — conversations so rich that they address problems of practice and support educators to learn on the job (Little, 2002). The instructional leadership team — principals, coaches, and other school leaders — […]

Ask educators what they need for their own learning, and more time to collaborate with colleagues generally ranks high on the list. Educators know that when they encounter specific student learning or instructional challenges, their peers typically have insights and solutions that will be helpful. Every school has an enormous […]

A Clear Path or Clear Roles? Which is better for teamwork: a clearly defined approach to achieving a goal or clearly specified roles for team members? Roles are the key, according to a study of 15 multinational corporations on effectiveness of their teams and collaborative practices. “Collaboration improves when the roles […]

DALLAS—April 14, 2015—René Islas, senior vice president of research, development, and demonstration for Learning Forward, has accepted the opportunity to lead the National Association of Gifted Children as executive director. Islas has been an important part of many Learning Forward accomplishments, including measurable impacts on federal, state, and local policy; […]

DALLAS—April 14, 2015—Learning Forward has launched a professional learning initiative that will help Galveston County, Texas, area superintendents and their leadership teams support school leaders, change educator practice, and improve student results. The Galveston County Learning Leaders initiative, with support from the Houston Endowment, will provide participants the intensive training […]

Join authors and leaders in the field for webinars on key topics that will prepare teacher, school, and system leaders to successfully implement professional learning that increases teaching effectiveness and student achievement. Webinars are free for Learning Forward members. Nonmembers may attend one webinar for $20 or three for $50. […]