Learning Forward

5 Practices of Effective Principals What exactly is it that effective principals do that ripples through classrooms and boosts learning, especially in failing schools? Since 2000, The Wallace Foundation has been trying to answer that question. A Wallace Perspective report that takes a look at the foundation’s research and field experiences finds […]

To ensure that all students learn at high levels, teachers must collaborate with colleagues to examine student achievement data, plan or adjust instruction, and track student progress (Schmoker, 2006). By meeting in professional learning communities (Dufour, 2004), teachers continually examine instructional strategies and improve student learning. This school-based, classroom-focused, teacher-initiated […]

During a dialogue in a course for aspiring principals, I laughingly shared a story from my days as a middle school teacher as an example of ineffective professional learning. The district had purchased computers (for every teacher!), and we were provided a beginning-of-year, one-hour training on the basics of the […]

We have all heard these criticisms of professional development: Too many teachers complain it is ineffective and a waste of their time; too little research documents its impact on educator practice or student results; well-constructed and respected research studies are too complicated and expensive for people whose first responsibility is […]

The Impact Factor: Why we can’t neglect professional learning evaluation. By Stephanie Hirsh The Standards for Professional Learning and the guidance they provide lay the foundation for an effective professional learning system that demonstrates improvement and results. Aligning professional learning to the standards will help educators document impact by keeping […]

Join leaders in the field for webinars on key topics affecting professional learning leaders. Webinar participants gain insight from experts and colleagues on topics such as data analysis, virtual learning communities, implementing change, and more. Learning Forward members who participate in webinars can extend their learning in the Learning Exchange through […]

Educators across the globe regularly engage in learning. This learning is usually grounded in espoused theories of action, with a hope that changes in professional practice and improved student learning will result. Yet, far too often a gap exists between what people have learned and what they do day-to-day. Why […]

UNLEASHING THE POSITIVE POWER OF DIFFERENCES Polarity Thinking in Our Schools By Jane A.G. Kise  Does your team do more arguing than deciding? Some conflict can be healthy for teams and professional learning communities, but when two sides are unwilling to compromise, that’s where polarity management comes in. By identifying […]

Learning Forward’s publication Standards for Professional Learning is now available in a digital version developed exclusively for the iPad. In addition to the material available in the print book, the iPad version contains more than 50 interactive tools and videos that help educators build mastery of the standards and share […]