As the U.S. Department of Education and Congress debate the future of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Learning Forward Executive Director Stephanie Hirsh pledges to work toward three goals in 2015 that will offer compelling evidence of professional learning’s importance and affirm stakeholders’ commitment to invest in it.

These goals are:

Highlight professional learning successes. Learning Forward is gathering stories about how effective professional learning has improved educator practice and results for students in order to share them with local, state, and federal decision makers, educators, and parents. These stories need to include specifics about the professional learning, including the goals, processes, and measures of success. Educators are invited to share examples of effective professional learning in action at www.learningforward.org/get-involved/tell-your-story.

Challenge ineffective professional development practices. Learning Forward is working to put an end to  professional development that wastes resources — human, time, and financial — and find effective alternatives. To do this, educators must ask tough questions, such as: Is professional development an acceptable use of resources if only one teacher is touched when so many need help? Just because the way we’ve always done it leads to some growth, is that all we should expect? Is scheduling schoolwide professional development the day before a holiday the best timing? What are the best uses of professional learning dollars — large auditoriums filled with educators or small groups working on writing common formative assessments?

Study the field. In order to be respected spokespersons for the field, educators need to be connected to the latest information and research on adult learning and development. While the Standards for Professional Learning provide educators a foundation for organizing study, discussing understandings, raising questions, and supporting future study, learning must extend beyond the standards because the field continues to evolve. Educators can accomplish this by following new learning from the field’s chief advocates as well as those with different perspectives and focusing on the learning process that enables successful spread of practice in other sectors.

“Our expertise in our subject provides the foundation and credibility required to recognize and share success and eliminate waste,” says Hirsh. “Please join me in sharing your observations, questions, and new learning related to the standards.”