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Professional Learning Communities. South Charleston High School. What is a Professional Learning Community (PLC)?. A working team of professionals that are committed to ensure student achievement as life-long learners of the 21 st Century. GOALS.
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Professional Learning Communities South Charleston High School
What is a Professional Learning Community (PLC)? A working team of professionals that are committed to ensure student achievement as life-long learners of the 21st Century.
GOALS • An opportunity for teachers to share information, knowledge, and expertise that will increase student achievement. • A way to grant the faculty ownership in the creation of staff development so that they will feel empowered.
August 2007Selection of Leadership Team Chose strong leader from each department with a variety of skills to contribute.
To understand PLC’s Learn protocol for running PLC’s Set objectives for staff development Training
Establish PLC’s • Co-curricular • Cross-curricular At least one teacher from each curricular field (Anticipate conflicts)
Establishing Ground Rules • Encourage members to work collaboratively • Establish process for group participation • Create an atmosphere in which all members freely participate • Establish the tone by encouraging group interaction and feedback
First PLC Meeting –October 2007 “What are reasons for Academic Failure?”
Top three reasons for academic failure • Curriculum and relevance of lesson • Student motivation and apathy • Lack of discipline
Selection of Facilitators • Number of facilitators dictated by the number of the PLC’s. • Leadership team observed first PLC meetings and chose facilitators based on leadership skills and rapport with colleagues.
Training of Facilitators Training at Coonskin Park • What is a PLC and how will it affect my work? • What is my role as a facilitator and what happens during a PLC meeting? • What do I do if I have some “prickly” behavior in my PLC?
Training of Staff • What is a PLC? • Communicating the plan for PLC activities (logistical details and roles) • Establish ground rules • Identify instructional goals and objectives
Literacy Technology Focus of PLC's Spring 2008
PLC Discussion Points • State how you integrate technology into your curriculum • State the positives about using technology in your class • State the challenges about using technology in your class
Focus of PLC’s Fall 2008 Assessment Formative Summative Feedback Evaluative Descriptive
Other Examples of PLC Activities • Read/discuss articles • View/discuss video clips • Share ideas • Ask questions • Share evidence of student work
Process • Implement Plan: Example of Feedback
Process • Select best path to achieve desired results
Process • Implement Plan Establish means of accountability “Next time bring back evidence of …
Process • Monitor and evaluate progress of PLC’s Example: Using a Team Development Wheel to see into which stage a PLC falls.
Benefits to Teachers • Communication • Empowers teachers • Increased feelings of pride and belonging • Gives teachers opportunity to have more say in the direction of the school in general • New ideas: technology and rethinking assessment
Benefits to Students • Improved achievement • Better teacher instruction • Better assessment
Professional Learning Communities South Charleston High School