Professional Continuum

This section provides information on programs that are supporting the development of high quality instruction and school leadership, beginning with formal educator preparation programs and continuing throughout a career.

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Principals raising hands during conference session
Principal participating in conference session

Stories from the Field

Finding a Way by Focusing on Literacy

Alice Ott Middle School built a reading program intended to bring struggling students to grade level and enrich the skills of those already on grade level. Gone was the large amount of time spent on sustained silent reading that had no purpose other than having students read material of their...
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Dispelling the Myth by Working Together

The Education Trust honored three outstanding public schools at their Dispelling the Myth Awards ceremony. These schools were chosen because, “[they] are doing the right thing for kids: providing a rich, coherent curriculum and making it interesting and engaging for their students. In the process, they are making themselves the...
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LFA Updates

Research Finds Professional Development is Key—If It’s Done Right

Specific conditions make a difference in whether professional learning is effective. Learning Forward shows how, when these conditions are met, student learning will improve

Sometimes it makes all the difference if you use the right definition and process. After decades of half-hearted federal support for professional development, there is now data to support the investment in teachers and administrators. The new analysis was presented during a Congressional briefing late last month by Learning Forward...
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New PDK Poll Shows Need for More Policies to Support Teachers

Annual PDK Poll shows vast majority of parents want higher salaries for teachers and support their right to strike, but majority do not want their children to enter the field

We should be worried. While report after report has declared that school improvement is hinged on the teacher, we now have proof that we need to do more to focus on the teachers we have, and the future pipeline of teachers. But we also see that our public school teachers...
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Member Resources

Beyond Barriers: Encouraging Teacher Use of Feedback Resources

What leads teachers to use new technology products or services to improve their practice? Learning Forward recently concluded a study that investigated factors that drive teachers to embrace or challenge the use of products and services designed to support improvements in practice. Findings from the study can assist education leaders...
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Great Teaching & Learning

To provide a top-quality education, schools, educators, and communities must embrace five essential values that encourage constant learning, professional growth and respect for each individual. Based on these values, t he National Education Association offers a guide to help educators achieve and sustain new norms of excellence at every phase...
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