Secretary DeVos: Here Are Learning Forward's Priorities

By Learning Forward on February 13, 2017 2:26 P M

As Secretary Betsy DeVos begins her tenure at the U.S. Department of Education, Learning Forward is eager to engage in discussion with her about the important work ahead for our nation's schools, educators, and, most importantly, students. Every child in the United States deserves equitable access to great teaching and learning. To achieve this, the nation must continue to invest time, money, and energy in creating the conditions that enable educators to help each child achieve success.

No matter where children go to school, the educators who lead learning in classrooms, school buildings, and district offices must be their best every day. Educators everywhere recognize this and devote themselves tirelessly to creating the learning environments that will serve all students, regardless of special need, demographic category, or ZIP code.

Asking educators to shoulder this obligation on their own is irresponsible. Rather, education stakeholders at all levels must build what we at Learning Forward call learning systems. In learning systems, every educator at every level shares a vision for what student success will look like and the pathways to get there. Most importantly, in learning systems, learning is the core work of schools, and that applies to educators as well as students. Educators can best reach and serve all students when they have opportunities to continuously improve in collaboration with their colleagues. Collectively, they commit to the success of every student in their school.

Learning Forward looks forward to working with the Department of Education and Secretary DeVos to explore how policy and practice can best align to create the schools all children deserve. Learning Forward is the professional learning association that represents the views of 10,000 educator members, more than 40,000 stakeholders, and networks of committed partners in school districts, higher education, research and advocacy organizations, and teacher associations.

Learning Forward has long been a champion of educators and believes that creating effective systems of learning and support for teachers and leaders stands as one of our nation's top priorities.

We are eager to engage in discussions with Secretary DeVos about the important work ahead for our nation's schools, educators, and students. What will it take to put powerful student learning, effective teaching, and powerful leadership in action every day in every school? We believe the answer is a collective, systemic, and intentional focus on supporting educators daily. Learning Forward will work hand-in-hand with every stakeholder committed to this goal.

Stephanie Hirsh

Executive Director, Learning Forward @HirshLF