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Learning First Alliance to Share Insights on Transforming Learning in New Education Week Blog
02/01/2012

Leading national education organizations’ group blog to act as a catalyst for public school transformation by sharing expertise and new visions for learning

Washington, D.C. –  February 1, 2012 – The Learning First Alliance (LFA), a partnership of 16 leading education associations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools, has launched an exclusive Education Week blog, Transforming Learning. The blog will include contributions from LFA member organizations that explore how to transform public education to support student achievement for lifelong success in the global community.

Transforming Learning will introduce readers to LFA member organizations, who will both address the challenges facing K-12 public education and recognize best practices and strategies from the nation’s top schools that can be shared broadly. The blog will encompass a number of issues surrounding public education, including professional learning strategies, school turnaround success stories, collaborative practices and “how to’s” on topics like parent engagement and technology implementation – all with the goal of ensuring that every child in our nation has access to an excellent public school that prepares all its students for success in our rapidly changing world.

“This blog will provide a valuable platform for the voices of our members to reach new audiences,” said Cheryl Williams, executive director of the Learning First Alliance. “Collectively, our member organizations’ expertise spans every aspect of public education – from state boards of education to administrative staff to educators to school counselors to parents.  By sharing the knowledge of our nation’s top education thought leaders we will address the challenges facing public schools today and open the dialogue for further conversation, with the hope to spur transformation that results in better policy and practice for improved student learning.”

To read Transforming Learning, go to http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/transforming_learning/. For more information on the Learning First Alliance, go to www.learningfirst.org.

Read the complete release here.

Learning First Alliance Executive Director Appointed to REAL Commission
01/19/2012

REAL Commission will drive agenda for Congress’ Digital Promise Initiative

Washington, D.C. –  January 19, 2012 – Cheryl Williams, executive director of the Learning First Alliance, has been appointed to represent K-12 education on the TechAmerica Foundation’s Recommendations for Education and Advancement of Learning (REAL) Commission. The Commission, which held its first meeting today, aims to bring together industry and academia leaders in education technology to recommend an initial research and policy agenda for Digital Promise, a national center created by Congress.

Digital Promise was created to identify the information and technological needs that will improve all levels of formal and informal learning and education to prepare Americans to compete in the global economy. The REAL Commission report will help to guide the inaugural years of Digital Promise and identify any policy hurdles that inhibit progress. 

“The Commission’s efforts to transform public schools through technology align closely to the goals and mission of the Learning First Alliance,” said Williams.  “By providing strong, research-based information on effective use of technology in public schools, the Commission will help Congress to advance learning and improve 21st century college and career readiness for all U.S. students.”

At the end of April, the commission will submit its recommendations to the Obama Administration’s Chief Technology Officer, Aneesh Chopra, to provide the research direction for the initiative. 

To learn more about Digital Promise, go to www.digitalpromise.org. For more information on the Learning First Alliance, go to www.learningfirst.org.

Read the complete release here.

Learning First Alliance Welcomes New Board Members
11/17/2011

Six new board members will bring fresh insights as LFA advocates for the advancement of U.S. public education

Washington, D.C. –  November 17, 2011 – The Learning First Alliance (LFA), a partnership of 16 leading education associations representing more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools, welcomes new board members as executive leadership at six of its member associations changes hands.

“The leadership transition in many of our member organizations marks the start of an exciting time for LFA,” said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and chair of the Learning First Alliance board of directors. “As an organization, we appreciate the hard work of those individuals who have left the board. Now, we look forward to embracing the unique experiences of our newest board members to explore new ideas and help reach our goals for the year ahead.”

Newly appointed board members include, Dr. Michael Redburn, Executive Director, American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA); Ms. Francine Lawrence, Executive Vice President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Dr. William Waidelich, Executive Director, Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE); Ms. JoAnn Bartoletti, Executive Director, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); Mr. John Stocks, Executive Director, National Education Association, (NEA) and Mr. Eric Hargis, Executive Director, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

“As an alliance, we focus on providing a platform for the voices of many to be collectively heard,” said Cheryl Williams, executive director of the LFA. “The six new members of our board will bring fresh, new perspectives from each of their organizations to the table and add tremendous value to our alliance as a whole.”

Read the complete press release here

Learning First Alliance Supports President’s Bold Plan to Invest in Education
09/09/2011

President’s plan would improve education infrastructure and bring teachers back to classrooms

Washington, D.C. –  September 9, 2011 – The Learning First Alliance (LFA), a partnership of 16 leading education associations representing more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools, applauds the President’s call last night to invest in schools and teachers.  LFA supports the President’s focus on putting teachers back to work and investing in education infrastructure to make schools more efficient and innovative.

“We support the President’s initiative,” said Dan Domenech, LFA Board Chair and AASA executive director. “Placing teachers back in the classroom is essential to the educational needs of our students; putting people to work and making much needed repairs to our schools is a win-win situation.”

LFA supports strong public education. Currently, with education budgets continuing to be cut at the state and local level, public schools are facing very difficult challenges that ultimately hurt students, such as growing class sizes, crumbling buildings, and lack of support services. The President’s plan addresses these issues to improve public education for all children.

“The Learning First Alliance agrees with President Obama that every child deserves a great school and that we have a responsibility to one another to act as one nation and one people in support of ensuring a great education for all our students,” said Cheryl Williams, executive director of the LFA. “We urge Congress to support the President’s plan to modernize aging school buildings and put teachers back to work on behalf of America’s students.”

View the complete press release here.