FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vision of Learning Forward Colorado?
Learning Forward Colorado is viewed as a professional learning community through focused activities that help members increase their own knowledge and level of expertise and then influence quality professional development with others. Through informal networks and strategic partnerships, Learning Forward Colorado is the voice for quality professional development in Colorado.
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How will the Vision of Learning Forward Colorado be achieved?
Learning Forward Colorado will achieve its vision under the guidance of a Board of Directors who plan, coordinate, and manage the learning efforts of the organization. They are the keepers of the 2 year plan and of the vision.
The Trustees are leaders of the organization who conduct the business of the organization, establish committees, make recommendations to the Board, and make decisions according to the budget. Trustees serve as liaisons to other Directors for key efforts.
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What is quality professional development?
Quality professional development in NOT one-shot workshops usually held prior to the beginning of the school year. Quality professional development is results driven, job-embedded, content specific and focused actions. The ultimate outcome for professional development is to expand teachers’ skills, knowledge and attitudes to improve student achievement.
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How do I know if our school has quality professional development?
There are standards for professional development. Learning Forward Colorado has developed A Framework for School Focused Professional Development. This Framework puts the 12 standards into 5 categories. Data-driven Learning, Job-embedded Learning, Content-focused Learning, Learning Communities, Systemic Change. The document includes actions that can be taken as well as examples to help assess and plan quality professional development for your school.
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How do I get a copy of the Framework?
You can order copies through Learning Forward Colorado on this website. Also with a membership you are given a copy and the cost of multiple copies is reduced with a membership. Many schools and districts use this document to assess and plan for their professional development and have found it to be helpful.
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What are some promising professional learning practices that help teachers close learning gaps for students from diverse cultural and socio-economic class backgrounds?
Promising professional learning practices that help teachers close learning and achievement gaps for students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds include:
- Teacher collegial conversations that are ongoing, job-embedded, and that include uncompromising straight talk about biases in curriculum, practices, perspectives, and assessment.
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 Teacher leadership development for identifying promising practices using study groups of meaningful text (e.g. Cultural Competence by Jean Moule), student work, and effective instructional lessons in identified content areas.
- Taking responsibility for setting, communicating, and learning to implement high expectations.
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What are some promising professional learning practices that help school districts close learning gaps for students from diverse cultural and socio-economic class backgrounds?
Promising professional learning practices that help school districts close learning gaps for students from diverse cultural and socio-economic class backgrounds include:
- Accepting change and establishing policies and intentional structures for change over time. (Broward County Public Schools; Norman, OK Public Schools)
- Implementing high-quality professional development (see Learning Forward standards) for everyone involved, with choice, content relevancy, and focus on all students and all student groups.
- School-based professional development (see Learning Forward Colorado Framework.)
- Aligning resources to school improvement goals (see The Center on the Learning Forward Colorado website.)
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