Everyone likes to feel valuable, needed, and in-demand, and it’s understandable that coaches may perceive being needed as evidence of their impact of coaching. Too often, however, it may be a sign that teachers are overly dependent on the coach’s advice, judgment, or praise of their teaching. This kind of dependency keeps the coach busy,…

In the spirit of ensuring excellent teaching for students everywhere, Learning Forward celebrates Public Schools Week 2025 by highlighting a few examples of innovation and change that have inspired us lately. Maryland: Student math gains powered by professional learning In a seed program in Montgomery County, students are reaping the benefits of a small team…

We are thrilled to announce a fresh set of columns in the Voices section of The Learning Professional. Throughout 2025, three talented, thoughtful, and deeply committed educators will be sharing their unique perspectives on topics that are important to our readers. The authors joining us this year are Kim Richardson, Chris DeGuzman, and A.J. Juliani….

Each month, the Learning Forward Advocacy Team (A-Team) meets for its monthly 30-minute federal update. The calls offer a valuable opportunity for a frank and off-the-record discussion about the latest federal developments. The sessions are not recorded, and there are no slides or handouts. Topics from February 11, 2025: FY25 Appropriations/CR Congress continues to negotiate…

In Learning Forward’s Coaches Academy, I explain that even the most successful coaches may find that some teachers are hesitant to engage in coaching cycles or even coaching conversations. Here are three questions that have proven successful in opening a coaching conversation with some of our most hesitant teachers: What difficult to teach or learn…

Like all educators, the Learning Forward community was disappointed by the latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” that were released on January 29th. The fact that nearly all states saw student reading and math scores decrease or remain flat from 2022 levels means that our…

On Wednesday, January 29, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum rescinding a previously issued federal order demanding that federal agencies pause disbursing federal grants and loans as of 5 PM on January 28th. Under a subject line of “Rescission of M-25-13,” today’s memo instructs agency directors to consult with their…

The Learning Forward Advocacy Team (A-Team) held its first monthly federal update Zoom call on Tuesday, January 14. The discussion with educators from across the U.S. provided details on the policy landscape related to the Presidential transition, new administration, and the newly seated 119th Congress. Learning Forward and A-Team members discussed federal support for K-12…

How might students use AI to help them think? This was one of the questions discussed during a recent “Chat n Chew” online gathering hosted by the New Jersey Learning Forward affiliate. Learning Forward affiliates are local chapters across the U.S., Canada, and India, founded and maintained by area professional learning leaders who are deeply…

Ensuring educator learning leads to better teaching and more student learning is top of mind for professional development leaders from across the U.S. and beyond, according to a recent poll conducted by Learning Forward. During our organization’s annual conference in December 2024, more than 500 learning leaders responded to an online survey about their work…