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Professional Learning Communities: Collaboration in Teaching at the High School Level

Professional Learning Communities: Collaboration in Teaching at the High School Level. Suzanne Grambush Shawna Groulx Matt Sayers Matt Shanafelt Sherri Smarch. Professional Learning Communities. Background Richard DuFour Robert V. Bullough Jr. 3 Big Ideas of a PLC Focus on learning

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Professional Learning Communities: Collaboration in Teaching at the High School Level

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  1. Professional Learning Communities: Collaboration in Teaching at the High School Level Suzanne Grambush Shawna Groulx Matt Sayers Matt Shanafelt Sherri Smarch

  2. Professional Learning Communities Background • Richard DuFour • Robert V. Bullough Jr. • 3 Big Ideas of a PLC • Focus on learning • Build a Collaborative Culture • Focus on Results • 6 Essential Characteristics of a PLC • Shared mission, vision, values, goals • Collaborative teams • Focused on learning • Collective inquiry • Action orientation • Experimentation

  3. Professional Learning Communities Our Motivation • Improve student learning/achievement • Increase collaboration among staff • Meet the needs of our sub-groups • Increase use and understanding of best practices

  4. Professional Learning Communities Abstract Professional Learning Communities (PLC) have become a rapidly growing trend in the American public school system. Leaders of this trend, such as Richard DuFour, are guided by research that suggests that best practices include collaboration, common assessment, and communication among staff members. Grand Blanc and Hartland High Schools have embarked on a crusade to implement PLCs to improve student learning. The study focused the impact on student learning through the implementation of the PLC concept. Results show that ample time is a key factor in the proper execution of PLCs.

  5. Professional Learning Communities Methodology • Staff Surveys • Student Interviews • PLC Leader Interviews

  6. Professional Learning Communities Research Questions 1. To what degree have PLC principles been implemented? 2. How has the implementation of PLC principles impacted student achievement? 3. How could the implementation of PLCs be improved?

  7. Professional Learning Communities Research Question 1 To what degree have PLC principles been implemented? • Grand Blanc High School • Common Assessment • Scheduled time to meet • Scope and sequence for all classes established • Hartland High School • Common Assessment • Scheduled time to meet • Common planning period

  8. Professional Learning Communities Research Question 2 How has the implementation of PLC principles impacted student achievement? • Grand Blanc High School • 15.2%-12.1% decrease in D’s and E’s 2007-2008 – 2008-2009 • 100% of leaders believe PLCs have improved teaching • Focus changed from teaching to learning • Teachers focused on data driven instruction • Similar content and expectations • Hartland High School • 13.0%-12.0% decrease in D’s in E’s 2007-2008-2008-2009 • Teachers are more willing to re-teach material • Use data to improve student learning • 98.4% use PLC time to discuss how to help students • Similar content and expectations

  9. Professional Learning Communities Research Question 3 How could the implementation of PLCs be improved? • Grand Blanc High School • More time • Clearer direction/objectives from administration • Build trust • Hartland High School • More time • Clarification on PLC model • Build trust

  10. Professional Learning Communities Conclusions • PLCs, an effective tool • improving teaching • student achievement • rigorous coursework • Effective PLCs • adequate planning time for teachers • trust and collaboration • training • planning

  11. Professional Learning Communities Recommendations • Targeted student support programs • Ability to create additional PLCs based on common interests • Common planning periods for staff • Fostering an atmosphere of open communication and trust among staff • Ability to visit and learn from other schools • A commitment to teacher training and preparedness programs • A commitment to additional time for teachers to collaborate

  12. Professional Learning Communities Future Research • Additional study of student achievement, best practice and student assessment • Compare and contrast the success of other PLC models with other schools in Michigan • Continue to measure and analyze the effectiveness of the PLC model at GBHS and HHS • Measure student success/achievement through additional measures (ACT, graduation rates, student referrals, success in college, etc.)

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