Professional Learning Communities

1. Professional Learning Communities A school-wide approach to ensure that all students learn

2. 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. Bowie High School

3. PLC’s Fundamental Assumptions • 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. Bowie High School

4. 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. Bowie High School

5. PLC’s • Focus on Learning • 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

6. PLC’s Bowie High School

7. PLC’s • Focus on Learning • Build a Collaborative Culture • 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

8. PLC’s • Focus on Learning • Build a Collaborative Culture • Focus on Results • 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

9. PLC’s • Focus on Learning • Build a Collaborative Culture • Focus on Results Katy ISD: Cinco Ranch Bowie High School

10. Handouts • 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 Bowie High School

11. PLC’s Steps to Success • Jump In • start anywhere; somewhere; NOW • Establish Norms • Align the Curriculum • Create Common Assessments • formative; summative; not necessarily tests • Analyze and Use the Results • Reteach and Enrich • Do It All Over Again Bowie High School

12. PLC’s Questions? All Things PLC Bowie High School