Learning First Alliance Blog

Reenvisioning Assessments

Mon, 21 May 2007 12:00:50 -0800

LFA Summit participants repeatedly voiced concerns that the current testing regime subverts the kind of learning that will prepare students for the new century. A new Education Week commentary by Summit speakers Charles Fadel and Margaret Honey lays out the need for much more sophisticated assessments.

Ed in '08?

Fri, 04 May 2007 12:36:34 -0800

The education press has been abuzz with news that the Broad and Gates Foundations are pumping a combined $60 Million into a campaign to elevate education to the top of the '08 Presidential campaign agendas. This campaign certainly has our attention, given LFA's own plans to foster a more constructive national conversation on public education. It may offer us some opportunities.

Are American Public Schools Failing?

Thu, 03 May 2007 07:04:59 -0800

Gerald Bracey has an editorial in today's Washington Post questioning common rhetoric about the failure of American public schools to measure up to schools in other countries. (See "A Test Everyone Will Fail."). He points to a recent American Institutes for Research study that raises serious questions about the conventional wisdom that American students lag far behind their peers in other countries.

Defending Technology

Wed, 02 May 2007 06:22:45 -0800

In a new Edweek Commentary, LFA Summit presenter Henry Kelly argues that the nation is squandering the promise of technology in schools by underinvesting in technology development, teacher training, and other tools that could make educational technologies most effective

A New Day for Learning

Wed, 02 May 2007 05:58:16 -0800

I'll admit it--it has been a long time since I last contributed to this blog. A million post-Summit administrative details have diverted my energies. Still, the appearance in Edweek of two separate commentaries written by Summit speakers caught my attention. The first of these--"A New Day for Learning," written in part by George Lucas Education Foundation Executive Director Milton Chen--argues that outmoded classroom forms and schedules are hampering school improvement. You may remember that the Foundation's new COO, Cindy Johansen, presented at the Summit a brief video highlighting schools and programs that follow a more expansive model of learning

LFA's "Guiding Document' available for download!

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:35:17 -0800

At the Learning First Alliance Summit on Public Schools in 21st-Century America, you will be asked to help create a shared agenda for future work by the Alliance. Today, we are releasing a “Guiding Document” that will help frame our conversations at the Summit, where we will begin shaping this agenda together. (You can download this Document here.) You can use this blog to offer your input into this draft.

Creating the right conditions for educational technology

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:06:58 -0800

While educational technologies have shown promise, it has become a truism that we cannot simply graft them onto current educational structures and expect miracles. Yet, truism or not, that's precisely what happens in too many schools, where technology diverts scarce resources with little or no payoff in student learning. Wiith generous support from Cisco Systems, Inc., an important Summit breakout session willl examine what schools and districts should do to ensure that technology truly supports student learning.

Teaching 21st-century skills

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 14:47:37 -0800

The national debate about public education and U.S. economic competitiveness tends to focus too exclusively on the number of engineers and scientists we churn out every year. Important as home-grown engineers and scientists may be to our future national prosperity, education and business leaders alike realize that the skills our students will need for success in the new century encompass much more than only math and science. Many also agree that current education policies are giving short shrift these new skill demands. An important and engaging breakout session at LFA's summit will examine what these skills are and what kinds of policies and practices can promote them in our nation's public schools.

Preparing for uncertain futures

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 14:10:10 -0800

A pate of reports is reminding us that our nation and our public schools will face very daunting challenges in the decades ahead. Demographic, social, technological, economic and even climate change wil likely alter the face of public schools in the new century. A breakout session at the LFA summit will help leaders try to get ahead of this curve.

A new look at data-driven decision-making

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 13:50:29 -0800

Sessions on data-driven decision-making have become a staple in many education conferences, in large part because they have won so many converts among educators. As many now know, well-designed data collection systems allow educators to tailor teaching to individual student needs, uncover education inequities that might otherwise go unnoticed, and identify systemic problems that require attention. A breakout session at the Learning First Alliance Summit will examine these issues from new perspectives.

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:41:15 -0800

By now, most of you have probably already gotten wind of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce report, “Tough Choices or Tough Times.” This report calls for fundamental changes to our public education system, arguing that nothing short of a complete overhaul will prepare our students for the demands of a changing world. A recent edition of Education Week features dueling commentaries about the report--Given the stakes of this discussion, these commentaries are well worth a read.

A breakout session on staffing high-poverty, low-performing schools

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:01:35 -0800

The world of education does not lack jargon, buzzwords, and technical lingo. From teaming structures to structural change, the education landscape sometimes requires an education of its own. But the words all point to one ultimate necessity for all schools everywhere: GOOD TEACHERS AND LEADERS. Every student can understand the importance of well-qualified, well-trained effective teachers and principals. The problem is that not every student has access to this educational essential need. In fact, it is the most vulnerable students who are the least likely to gain access to the best teachers and principals. An important breakout session at the LFA summit will tackle this subject head-on.

Knowledgeworks Foundation Maps the Future

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:44:03 -0800

The Knowledgeworks Foundation in Ohio has joined forces with The Institute for the Future to create an "Education Map of the Decade," a fascinating look at "the forces affecting education and our economy"

Don't miss the summit's keynote dialogue on education for the global age

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 03:54:40 -0800

Sunday morning the summit will feature an important dialogue on education for a global age between Ambassador Akbar S. Ahmed and Dr. Hillel Levine. Ambassador Ahmed, who has been called "the world's leading authority on contemporary Islam," is former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Great Britain, an advisor to world leaders, author of numerous books and documentaries, frequent guest on CNN, PBS, and the BBC, and a distinguished professor of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, DC. Dr. Levine is an ordained rabbi, a renowned teacher of sociology, religion, ethics, and Jewish history, and the author of numerous books and articles on ethnic violence and conflict resolution.

Diane Ravitch on Teacher Unions

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 04:06:20 -0800

The new edition of AFT's magazine American Educator includes in interesting article from distinguished New York University education historian Diane Ravitch entitled "Why Teacher Unions Are Good for Teachers—and the Public."