PLC Protocols
How to set up your PLC for success
Sprague High School
August 30, 2011
Objectives
By the end of this presentation…
 You will be able to identify the four components
of how to run every PLC meeting.
 You will be able to apply these four components
to your PLC during work time today.

Essential Question:

How will we ensure that work gets done in our PLC?
Vocabulary

PLC: Professional Learning Community


Synonyms: Data Teams, Course Alikes
Protocol: a form, worksheet, or standardized
process for completing a task

Norms: Rules or agreements about interpersonal
behaviors (We will…)


Synonym: Social Contract
SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Results-focused, Timely
Building Background – Popcorn!
Characteristics of an…

inefficient team:

efficient team:
PLC Groups 2011-2012

“Empowered teams are such a powerful force of
integration and productivity that they form the basic
building block of any intelligent organization.”
(Pinchot & Pinchot, 1993, p. 66)

“We have known for nearly a quarter of a century
that self-managed teams are far more productive
than any other form of organizing. . . . by joining with
others we can accomplish something important that
we could not accomplish alone.”
(Wheatley, 1999, pp. 152–153)
PLC Groups 2011-2012

In your Department Meetings today, you will
find out what PLC groupings we will have this
year.

As you probably guessed, everyone will be in
a group. Scheduling will be very important in
order to find a time when everyone can
attend.
The Guiding Questions for Every PLC

What do we want all students to learn?

How will we know when they have learned it?

What will we do when they don’t?
PLC Assessment Checklist

PLC Binder, “Procedures” Tab
-- pp 2: PLC Tasks and Products (Section 1)

The 4 Components of PLC Meetings:
1. Identify, maintain, and evaluate Team Norms
and Roles
2. Establish and evaluate progress towards
SMART Goals
3. Use protocols to move through the 3-Week
Cycle
4. Celebrate successes
Component 1: Establishing, Maintaining, and
Evaluating Team Norms and Roles

PLC Binder, “Procedures” Tab
- pp 6: Developing Norms (protocol)
- pp 7: Example Team Norms
Norms Practice Activity
- Write your top 3 expectations for teamwork on three
separate post-its in “We will…” format. Please stay
positive!
- When you are done, pass your post-its to one group
member. This person will read the norms out loud to
the group.
- After this person has read each one, the group
should categorize the norms into similar themes.
- When your group is done, raise your hand.
Component 1: Establishing, Maintaining, and
Evaluating Team Norms and Roles

Team Member Roles
- Suggestions: Handout
Kagan, The Dozen Cooperative Learning Roles

Reminder: Every member needs a role.
Component 2: Establish and Evaluate Progress
Towards SMART Goals

PLC Binder, “Clear Targets” tab
- pp 6: Team SMART Goal-Setting Plan (protocol)
AND
- pp 7: SMART Goal Worksheet (protocol)

Consider referencing your CSIP goal(s)
Component 3: Use Protocols to Move Through
the 3-Week Cycle

PLC Binder, “Logistics” tab
-- pp 1: Three Week PLC Cycle (protocol)





Step 1 Target (Learning Objectives)
Step 2 Instruction (Lessons and Activities)
Step 3 Collecting data (Formative Assessment)
Step 4 Analyzing data (PDF: Data Protocol)
 What do we do with the students who have not
learned the target?
Step 5 Determine new target (Begin @ Step 1)
Component 3: Use Protocols to Move Through
the 3-Week Cycle

PLC Binder, “Logistics” Tab
-- pp 2-3: PLC 3-Week Cycle Log (protocol)
- To maintain as you go
- Deliverable at the end of the 3-week cycle
-- pp 4: PLC Agenda and Meeting Log (protocol)
- To fill out each meeting
- Deliverable after every meeting
* Digital copies are on the Shared Drive
* Deliverables may be emailed or printed for your Supervisor
* Keep a copy for your team.
Component 4: Celebrate Successes

PLC Binder, “Procedures” Tab
-- pp 2: PLC Tasks and Products (Section 1)
-- Plan specific celebrations for your team

Do not overlook, or underestimate, the importance of
the celebrating the successes in your work as a team!
“ Specific goals should be designed to allow teams to
achieve small wins as they pursue their common
purpose. Small wins are invaluable to building
members’ commitment and overcoming the obstacles
that get in the way of achieving a meaningful, long-term
purpose.”
(Katzenbach & Smith, 1993, p. 54)
Checking for Understanding

Turn to a partner: Can you identify the 4
components of a PLC meeting?
1: Establish, Maintain, and Evaluate Team Norms
and Roles.
2: Establish and Evaluate progress towards SMART
Goals.
3: Use protocols to move through the 3-Week
Cycle.
4: Celebrate successes
Application: Agenda Items and
Deliverables to Begin Today

Item 1: Establish (or Evaluate) Team Norms


Item 2: Establish (or Evaluate) SMART Goal(s) for
this semester



deliverable: SMART Goal Setting Plan
deliverable: SMART Goal Worksheet
Item 3: Step 1 of the Three Week Cycle Outline



deliverable: Developing Norms protocol
Identify objectives and write common formative
assessment for use within first three weeks
deliverable: Step 1 of the 3-Week Cycle Log
Item 4: Schedule or plan criteria for a specific team
celebration
Assessment of Objectives



Can you identify the four components of
running every PLC meeting?
(thumbs up/down)
Do you feel confident in your ability to apply
these structures to your PLC during PLC
work today? (thumbs up/down)
Can you answer the Essential Question?

How will you ensure that the work gets done in
your PLC?
For more information…

www.allthingsplc.info

Any member of the Admin Team, Gwen (room 123),
Laura (our Instructional Coach), or anyone with
her/his hand up…now
Please don’t hestiate to ask if you need help about any
one of the components or steps!
Have a great year!