Learning Forward Blog
- Looking at the work ahead: Priorities for Learning Forward
Today marks my first day as Learning Forward’s President and CEO. I’m honored to serve in this role and fully recognize the importance of this position as we collectively work as an organization and as a field to achieve equitable and excellent outcomes for all students. Today also marks the beginning of our Independence Day
- Leaders voice how revised professional learning standards are transformative
In 1994, National Staff Development Council (which later became Learning Forward) developed and released an industry-leading set of research-based recommendations to standardize professional development, establishing a playbook for educators around the world. Learning Forward has continued to invest in its Standards for Professional Learning with periodic revisions to ensure the standards provide the latest knowledge
- Effective leadership: Webinar teases out findings from principal preparation, professional learning studies
New research supported by The Wallace Foundation shares clear evidence of the influence principals wield on educator effectiveness, and in turn, student achievement levels and graduation rates. It is crucial that principals receive excellent job preparation and have access to high-quality learning throughout their leadership service.
- Learning Forward statement in response to yesterday’s school shooting
Denise Glyn Borders, President and CEO of Learning Forward, issued the following statement about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022: “Yesterday’s horrific shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is a devastating tragedy. Our hearts mourn with the families and community members who lost loved ones. To see children and
- Three things happening on Capitol Hill
Congress is back in session and is commencing a three-month run until the August recess during which it will attempt to make significant progress on federal education funding, a China competition bill, and perhaps budget reconciliation legislation that may contain childcare funding. Meanwhile, the FCC will close its third and likely final application window for
- Coaching with compassion starts with relationships
The best gifts are reminders that someone sees us and that who we are is valued. Similarly, the best advice comes from someone who cares enough to notice the small things even while listening to the big ones. That’s why the best way to make progress in any coaching relationship is by dialing into the
- Frederick Brown named Learning Forward President & CEO
The Learning Forward Board of Trustees announced that Frederick Brown will serve as Learning Forward’s new President & CEO. Brown will succeed Denise Glyn Borders, effective July 1. “Frederick Brown brings a combination of deep expertise in leadership and professional learning as well as years of hands-on work in districts supporting the work of building
- Why now is exactly the time you should be hiring instructional coaches
During this time of teacher shortages, it is tempting to leave instructional coaching vacancies unfilled in favor of placing—or keeping—those promising experienced candidates in classrooms. Especially now, when pulling teachers out of their classrooms for professional learning is no longer a viable option, instructional coaching is even more critical to meeting the learning needs of
- Use ESSER to build on existing strengths toward lasting improvement
If you even remember the classic taffy brand, “Now and Later,” it’s probably because its quirky advertising narrative issued a challenge to develop a resource strategy satisfying your sweet tooth now and also anticipating future candy needs. For education leaders, allocating federal emergency relief funding similarly means targeting funds to address acute learning gaps and
- President’s budget jumpstarts FY23 education funding process
On March 28, President Biden released his FY23 proposed federal budget, and the news was decidedly mixed for education, with Title II-A sustaining a net cut of $21 million. Muddying the waters on funding levels is the fact that the FY23 budget figures are based on FY21 funding levels, not on the recently completed FY22
Mission
The mission of Learning Forward Washington is to increase student learning through actions that connect and influence state, district and school decision-makers to support powerful professional growth experiences for educators at all levels.
Vision
Learning Forward’s vision is excellent teaching and learning every day.
