Professional
Learning
Communities
A school-wide approach to
ensure that all students learn
PLC’s
Definition: “…A Professional Learning
Community is a collaboration of teachers,
administrators, parents, and students who
work together to seek out the best
practices, test them in the classroom,
continuously improve processes, and focus
on results.”
Rick DuFour, 2002.
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
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PLC’s
Fundamental Assumptions
1.
2.
3.
We can make a difference: Our schools
can be more effective.
Improving our people is the key to
improving our schools.
Significant school improvement will
impact teaching and learning.
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
3
PLC’s
One Thing
The ONE thing about a Professional
Learning Community is that learning,
rather than teaching, is the fundamental
purpose of your school.
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
4
PLC’s
1.
Focus on Learning
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What do we want students to learn?
How will we know if they have learned?
What will we do if they don’t learn?
What will we do if they already know it?
Bowie High School
5
PLC’s
7/1/2016
What do we want
students to learn?
How will we know
if they have learned?
What will we do
with students who
have learned?
What will we do to
assist students who
have not learned?
Bowie High School
6
PLC’s
1.
2.
Focus on Learning
Build a Collaborative Culture
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7/1/2016
no school can help all students achieve at
high levels if teachers work in isolation
Schools improve when teachers are given
time and support to work together to clarify
essential student learning, develop common
assessments, analyze evidence of student
learning, and use that evidence to learn
from one another
Bowie High School
7
PLC’s
1.
2.
3.
Focus on Learning
Build a Collaborative Culture
Focus on Results
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7/1/2016
PLC’s measure their effectiveness on the basis
of results rather than intentions
All programs, policies, and practices are
continually assessed on the basis of their
impact on student learning
All staff member receive relevant and timely
information on their effectiveness in achieving
intended results
Bowie High School
8
PLC’s
1.
2.
3.
Focus on Learning
Build a Collaborative Culture
Focus on Results
Katy ISD: Cinco Ranch
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
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Handouts
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Cultural Shifts in a Professional Learning
Community
The Professional Learning Community
Continuum
Critical Issues for Team Consideration
Questions to Guide the Work of Your
Professional Learning Community
Team SMART Goal-setting Plan, Worksheet, and
Sample
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
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PLC’s
Steps to Success
 Jump In
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Establish Norms
Align the Curriculum
Create Common Assessments
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start anywhere; somewhere; NOW
formative; summative; not necessarily tests
Analyze and Use the Results
Reteach and Enrich
Do It All Over Again
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
11
PLC’s
Questions?
All Things PLC
7/1/2016
Bowie High School
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