May 31: Last day to save $75 on registration for 2012 Annual Conference in Boston More Info June 30: Board of Trustees nomination deadline More Info July 22-25: 2012 Summer Conference in Denver More Info

Advocating for High-Quality Professional Development

Learning Forward's Definition of Professional Development Working with our allies and advocates, we created a new definition of professional development for use in the reauthorized version of ESEA. Federal policy makers have the opportunity to promote a significant improvement in teaching quality in American schools by supporting legislation that will strengthen the quality of educators’ professional learning. Read the full definition here.

Learning Forward requests changes to ESEA bill

The Senate HELP Committee recently released of their bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Upon review of the bill and after meetings with several congressional staffers, Learning Forward requested six technical amendments and four substantive changes to the definition of professional development included in the bill.

View the marked-up definition and Learning Forward's requested changes and rationale (PDF) .

Education Advocacy Toolkit

We believe that affecting the policy context is critical to achieving our purpose. Therefore we have designed this toolkit to help you become an effective advocate for sound federal education policy. Developed by B & D Consulting, this 24-page guide answers questions about who you should contact, what your message should be, and how to deliver the message.

• Download the Education Advocacy Toolkit (PDF, 2MB).

Advocacy Tip
There is truth in the phrase strength in numbers. One letter to one congressperson is great, but if you truly believe something, mobilize like-minded believers to ACT by writing letters, making calls, and speaking out for an issue.

NSDC Policy Points

Made possible through funding from College Board, NSDC Policy Points, a four-page newsletter, is sent to members of Congress and their staffs to help them develop greater understanding of government's role in supporting teacher learning that directly affects student achievement. We invite members to share these newsletters with state-level policy makers and other key decision makers within their own spheres of influence.

• NSDC Policy Points, December 2009, Vol. 1, No. 4
  Read about the importance of collaboration to professional development, both within and beyond education. See how a school district in Iowa uses collaborative professional learning to better serve students.
• NSDC Policy Points, July 2009, Vol. 1, No. 3

What does effective professional learning really look like in schools and what are the results? See our definition of professional learning come to life in three districts across the country.
• NSDC Policy Points, April 2009, Vol. 1, No. 2

The April issue explores specific aspects of our definition of professional development. To see three online videos illustrating the definition, visit the definition page.
• NSDC Policy Points, January 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1

The first issue establishes the importance of professional development for our nation and illuminates what we can learn from high-performing school systems in the U.S. and other countries. This issue excerpts a JSD interview with international reformer Michael Barber. Download the full JSD interview here.

What can you do?

• Delivering a laser talk: Learn how to advocate using the short and compelling laser talk.
• Call your Senator or representative: Simple steps to follow to contact your senator or representative
• Write to your Senator or representative: A sample letter to guide you in writing to your senator or representative.
• Suggested Text for Letters to Editors (Word doc): Text to adapt for local newspapers.