Learning Forward Blog
Professional learning in ESSA: 3 next steps
By Stephanie Hirsh |
The U.S. Department of Education released draft regulations for implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) . The comment period for the regulations is now open. Please join us in asking that the regulations help states conceive a coherent system.
Dip your toes in the water of professional learning
By Heather Lageman |
It’s summertime and vacation season is in full swing! Often all it takes is one brave soul to jump in the pool or ocean before everyone joins in the fun. The same thing happens in education – all it takes is one educator dipping their toes into the waters of professional learning to impact a whole school or district. See how Anna Jackson is leading change as the director of leadership and professional development in her district.
Meet the Learning Forward Foundation Team Grant Awardees
By Heather Lageman |
Each year, the Learning Forward Foundation Team Grant is given to a team of educators who are making an effort to advance Learning Forward’s vision. This year’s winners are from Northern Valley Regional High School District in Demarest, New Jersey.
Intentional connection and community within the Annual Conference
By Frederick Brown |
Have you ever been in a room full of people and felt completely alone? I’ve actually experienced that feeling during several conferences I’ve attended throughout my career. I remember walking into the receptions, plenary sessions, and even small concurrent sessions without knowing a soul and then exiting without having a conversation with anyone.
With a continuous improvement mindset, we can achieve equity and excellence
By Stephanie Hirsh |
Learning Forward’s theory of action is based on assumptions that educators won’t achieve their high goals for student learning if they don’t set and measure high goals for educator learning. With the right goals in mind, the hard work begins.
4 common misconceptions about feedback: An excerpt from The Feedback Process
By Joellen Killion |
There are many popular misconceptions about the content of feedback in the literature. Most misconceptions about feedback result from a more traditional view of feedback as information transmitted to a learner by a knowledgeable other as a part of assessment or evaluation.
Wild and wonderful learning: Lessons from Nature
By Dawn Wilson |
Educators often learn through spoken and written words. Animals learn by observation and action. What if educators learned more like the animals?
Use ESSA to achieve your vision for professional learning
By Tracy Crow |
When the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in December, we celebrated that it included an improved definition of professional learning even as we asked educators to create professional learning systems that see that definition as necessary but not sufficient.
Michael Fullan affirms the power of collective efficacy
By Stephanie Hirsh |
Collective efficacy — educators’ belief that in working together, they have the capability to improve significant challenges in schools — doesn’t just happen when systems or schools offer educators the opportunity to collaborate.
New initiative to redesign principal preparation programs
By Frederick Brown |
In its most recent work, the Wallace Foundation has been engaged in two initiatives to strengthen leaders. Its Principal Pipeline Initiative is helping districts get clear about the job leaders are expected to do, the training they need to perform their work, the kind of hiring practices that will get the right person in the appropriate position, and the kind of induction and ongoing support that will help them be effective. A second Wallace initiative seeks to strengthen the practices of district principal supervisors — those key individuals who support building principals in their work.
