Transforming Learning
The Learning First Alliance is a partnership of 16 national level education organizations representing 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning every day. This blog is no longer being updated.
Accountability
Opinion
Lessons Gleaned From the Louisiana School Voucher Ruling
NSBA President C. Ed Massey celebrates a recent court ruling that using public tax dollars for private school vouchers is unconstitutional.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
For America's Public School Success: Human & Social Capital
LFA Executive Director Cheryl S. Williams reminds us that developing human capital in public schooling is an essential activity if our teachers are to be effective and our students successful.
Education Funding
Opinion
Heads Up, America! Your Schools Are in Danger
Kappan Editor-in-Chief Joan Richardson questions the wisdom of "unbundling" funds from school districts, believing such policies introduce more inequity into already troubled systems.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Moving the Education Agenda Forward
While America's educators are frustrated with attacks on public education, AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech points out that they are not without guilt, for failing to put forth a vision of what true reform should look like.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Communication and Engagement Pave the Way to School Success
NSPRA Executive Director Rich Bagin reminds us that if we firmly believe in our schools, we must go to bat for them in proactive communication efforts.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Finland's Secret Sauce: Its Teachers
Kappan Editor-in-Chief Joan Richardson examines Finland's teacher education system, one of the key factors leading to the nation's success on international education assessments.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Open Letter to Federal Leadership Re: Comprehensive Reauthorization of No Child Left Behind
National PTA President Betsy Landers urges federal leadership to come together to fix No Child Left Behind.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Advisory + Academics = Student Success
AMLE President Jeff La Roux shares his experiences with advisory programs. He finds that such programs help students build character while supporting and enhancing academics and increasing cooperation and teamwork.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Make Your Voice Heard
Learning Forward's Tracy Crow reminds us that advocating for effective professional learning is an essential responsibility of educators.
Families & the Community
Opinion
The U.S. Education System Is Not Failing
NASBE's Steve Berlin believes that while we should aspire to greater success for our students, the nation's schools as a whole are succeeding.
School & District Management
Opinion
School Leaders Should Take a Lesson From NASCAR
NSBA President C. Ed Massey believes that the teams running school districts are like NASCAR pit crews.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Parents' Role in School Lunch
National PTA President Betsy Landers asks parents to send positive messages about healthier school food.
Families & the Community
Opinion
It Takes a City: Building Blocks, Builders, and Tools Are Needed for Real Instructional Reform
AFT's Marla Ucelli-Kashyap reminds us that not only do we need to implement the Common Core, we need to do it well. And that requires conviction, knowledge, resources, and tools for all the key players in the education community.
Professional Development
Opinion
Recognizing Progress in Implementing the Common Core State Standards
AACTE President and CEO Sharon P. Robinson reminds us that the institutions that prepare teachers are critical to successful implementation of the Common Core.