Improving professional practice, impacting student achievement
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Learning Forward Learning School Alliance?
The Learning School Alliance is a network of schools committed to collaborative professional learning with the educators in their school and other schools around the country and in Canada.
2. What is the purpose of the Learning School Alliance?
The Learning School Alliance serves to improve the professional practice of the educators who participate, and as a result, to increase the academic success of the students in their schools; to hold up a mirror to professional learning and learn from the decisions and actions of the participants; to make the case that schools where educators learn are places where students excel; to recognize and celebrate the commitment of educators to professional learning in service to their students; to generate national attention to the importance of educator learning in schools.
3. Why should my school join the Learning School Alliance?
Learning Forward surveyed a sample of its membership to learn how teachers, school principals, and district leaders perceived the benefits of such an alliance. Below is a sample of their responses:
- Potential to impact student achievement
- Collaboration with other teachers
- See one’s own practice by examining that of others
- Research and other quality materials
- Working with others, losing the isolation
- Easy access to materials delivered online
- Having others “see us” increases the need to show results
- Shared ideas for shared challenges
- Working with other schools who have high learning goals
4. What is the role of Learning Forward in the Learning School Alliance?
Learning Forward provides tools and materials, coaching, facilitation, a dedicated website and learning platform, and convenes the schools at conferences. Learning Forward promotes the Learning School Alliance and disseminates progress reports from the schools over time.
5. What is the evidence that this approach to professional learning will work?
Many researchers have documented the benefit of collaborative, school-based professional learning. Learning Forward has facilitated similar efforts with 12 Under 12—12 schools that committed in 2002 to meeting the goals of the No Child Left Behind act before 2014, and developed toolkits for collaborative professional learning for New Jersey educators. The success of these efforts secured the confidence of Learning Forward's Board of Trustees and external funders to extend the opportunity to additional schools.
6. What are the application criteria for the Learning School Alliance?
The primary requirement is a commitment to the Learning Forward principles and standards for professional learning. The application must present evidence that the school is serious about increasing the capacity of teachers to meet the needs of their students. Collaborative learning requires time to learn, connect, and collaborate with other schools, and the ideal candidate is a school new to or at the beginning stages of instituting the professional learning community concept. Potential applicants must be supported by their school district, both philosophically and financially, and have access to high-speed Internet connections.
7. What is the financial commitment?
Each school will contribute $3500 per year to participate in the Alliance. The full cost of participation, which includes over $7000 in materials and benefits, is offset by support from a variety of funders including MetLife Foundation and the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.
8. Is the cost the same for a school of any size – small elementary and large high school?
At this time, yes.
9. When is payment due, and what process should be followed for submitting payment?
The membership fee for LSA is $3,500/year with a two-year commitment to the program. The payment for year one is due by June 30, 2011. If a school pays the full two-year membership fee of $7,000 by June 30, 2011, the school will receive a $100 gift certificate for use in the Bookstore. The LSA Welcome Packet will include payment directions and a form to submit to the Business Office for payment processing.
10. Are there scholarships for deserving schools in dire financial straits?
There are a limited number of partial scholarships to assist schools with registration or additional conference fees. Also, the LSA site has materials you can use to solicit support from local businesses or foundations in your community or state.
11. What is the time period for participation?
The expectation is that all schools will commit to two years.
12. How does my school apply?
Apply online here.
13. How will schools be selected?
The application form provides details on how applications will be evaluated. Learning Forward seeks a mix of schools based on performance, geography, levels, and urban/suburban/rural. Learning Forward is also looking for schools in the early stages of establishing professional learning communities at their campuses with a demonstrated commitment from the school to be a part of the Alliance.
14. Should schools apply if they have not made AYP, or are designated low-performing on their state assessments?
Yes, these schools should apply. Having a low student-performance score on a state assessment will not eliminate a campus from consideration. Learning Forward is looking for schools that have the ambition to move forward and impact student learning.
15. Will the facilitators only work with schools in their states?
No, facilitators may be working with schools from any geographic location.
16. May a district apply?
No. LSA is for individual campus participation.
17. Should a school apply if the staff is not using Learning Forward tools, such as NSDC's Standards for Staff Development?
Yes, a school is encouraged to apply with or without a deep level of understanding or use of standards and principles. During a school's participation in LSA, Learning Forward tools will be used to help determine the types of supports that may benefit the schools.
