Supporting School and District Improvement
in Massachusetts
Building Professional Learning Communities to
Improve Instructions and Raise Achievement
Overview
Project Goal and Key Questions
Goal:
 To promote strong professional learning communities in
districts and schools to drive instructional improvement and
increase student learning and achievement.
Guiding Questions:
 What role do professional learning communities play in
improving instruction and student achievement?
 How can we leverage change in our schools and build
capacity by implementing professional learning
communities?
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
2
Project Overview

The Center for Collaborative Education (CCE) has partnered with the
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE)
to promote the building of strong professional learning communities (PLC)
in districts and schools in order to drive instructional improvement and
ultimately increase student learning and achievement.

During the pilot phase of this project, CCE has worked with two cohorts:
One cohort of districts from Western Mass and the other Cohort from
Eastern Mass.

In order to facilitate the work and the training, CCE has also created PLC
guidance documents made up of six modules that address the what and
how of PLCs and provide a library of best practice toolkits that can be used
to continue the work in schools.
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
3
What PLC Work Do We Engage In?

Looking at student and teacher work

Classroom observations

Creating common assessments & rubrics

Data-based inquiry groups to identify causes and find
solutions to instructional dilemmas

Lesson study

Text-based discussions on education research
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
4
Experience with PLCs
 CCE has been engaged in PLC resource development, training, and
coaching since its inception over 18 years ago have produced multiple
training guides and chapters in guides on PLCs.
 We believe that building strong PLCs - focused on improving
instruction, curriculum, and assessment – will result in (1) increased
teacher collaboration and (2) increased use of effective instructional
practices in classrooms, which will lead to (3) improved student
achievement.
 We have provided PLC training to multiple schools inside and outside
Massachusetts.
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
5
Project Work
 Create a set of professional development modules, facilitator
guides, and Power Points that MA districts can use to launch and
strengthen PLCs. Each module is focused on tools and resources
for application.
 Work with cohorts of districts to strengthen PLCs while field
testing and gaining feedback on draft professional development
resources that will be available statewide.
 By June 2014, there will be a robust PLC website housed by ESE
of modules, facilitator guides, Power Points, case studies,
readings, and other resources for all districts and schools to
access.
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
6
PLC Modules
The project includes six professional development modules, along
with tools (articles, protocols, videos, etc..), and facilitator’s
guides to assist schools/districts in implementing PLCs. The
modules are:
 Module 1 “Why PLCs?”
 Module 2 “Structures of PLCs”
 Module 3 “How to Build Effective Teams”
 Module 4 “Cycle of Inquiry”
 Module 5 “Non-Evaluative Classroom Observations”
 Module 6 “District -Level Professional Learning Communities”
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
7
PLC Resources
•
Additional resources in development during the
initial stage include:

Facilitator Guides for Modules 1-6 designed for
trainers

Accompanying PowerPoint presentations for
Modules 1-6

Weebly website to view resources

Videos of school/district teams during PLC meetings
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
8
District and School Support

Five days of school-year cohort Professional
Development in structuring and facilitating PLCs

2-day Summer Institute 2013

Virtual network discussion site

Network meetings for district PLC leads

On-site coaching in a ‘train the trainer’ model and
work with both District and School PLCs
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
9
District Commitments
•
Demonstrated District Leadership Support (Walk the
Walk)
•
Common Planning Time 2-3 times a week (minimum
once) for Teacher Teams
•
ID of lead district liaison person
•
Formation of active and engaged Superintendent’s
PLC Leadership Team
•
Participation in full scope of training
•
District-school team for side by side DSAC training
•
Commitment to provide feedback to CCE on training
and resource materials
LW Version 1.0
August 2009
10