Learning Forward

Teacher Evaluation The New York State United Teachers led teams from six districts in researching and designing a teacher evaluation system that includes meaningful dialogues and continued professional learning. In the Winter 2013 issue of The Learning System, Valerie von Frank describes how the teams transformed the old system to […]

Today’s education policy places a high priority on improving teacher quality and teaching effectiveness in U.S. schools (Obama, 2009). Standards-based professional learning requires teachers to have deep subject knowledge and the most effective pedagogy for teaching the subject. States and school districts are charged with establishing teacher professional development programs, […]

We recently asked more than 500 teachers and administrators, “Why should we put faces on data?” That is, how do we capture the human side of learning? One teacher said playfully, “Because they are so cute.” While that’s true, the more compelling reason is because it is so important. Educators need […]

Some educators pause with anxiety when they hear the word “innovation.” They have been involved in too many pilot projects or worked with people who were innovation magnets embracing new ideas for the love of change itself. As a result, many educators are innovation phobic, believing about the latest innovation that […]

Tapping Technology’s Potential: Shrinking budgets, looming standards, and a dizzying array of innovations are changing the professional learning landscape. By Joellen Killion While technology can enhance professional learning, how it is used will determine the degree to which it can influence educator practice and results for students. As individuals, schools, districts, and […]

Peter Senge, an internationally recognized thought leader, defines a learning organization as a place “where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning how to learn […]

Robert Tess, a veteran of marketing in for-profit and nonprofit organizations, is Learning Forward’s new director of marketing. In this role, Tess is responsible for marketing the Learning Forward brand and for the marketing of memberships, conferences, programs, services, products, and publications. In partnership with Learning Forward’s senior staff, Tess will […]

A new workbook will assist states and districts in conducting a self-guided review of professional learning policies. Professional Learning Policy Review: A Workbook for States and Districts, a Learning Forward publication, is a six-phase review process that contains 29 tools as well as links to resources for accessing and studying professional […]

Building on its Transforming Professional Learning initiative, Learning Forward has launched a new project that will establish three key networks to strengthen educators’ capacity to implement Common Core State Standards and new assessments. The new initiative, Transforming Professional Learning to Prepare College- and Career-Ready Students: District, State, & Affiliate Networks, […]

The Skillset Team Leader A Resource for Overcoming Hurdles to Professional Learning for Student Achievement By Elisa MacDonald All teams face hurdles. What distinguishes the skillful team leader from a less effective one is his or her approach in overcoming them. Elisa MacDonald offers a skillful approach to team leadership […]