Professional Learning Communities
Introduction
Schools are constantly looking for ways in which to improve. Research has revealed several attributes of a school that proves to lead towards student learning and higher achievement including strong leadership, clear and shared mission, vision, values, and goals, collective inquiry, action oriented, collaborative teams that work interdependently, a focus on student learning and results oriented. These ideas are represented within a Professional Learning Community (PLC). To become a PLC, a staff must make changes in their actions and work together focusing on student learning. PLC’s have evolved out of failed school reform measures. It attempts to make permanent changes to a school’s culture to affect change in student achievement.
There are four main ideas in developing a strong foundation for a PLC. The four essential ideas include a shared mission, vision, values, and goals. A group cannot simply write a well formed mission, they must commit to following through with actions necessary to fulfill their mission. These actions become easier when a vision is created as to what the school should look like and then members list specific behaviors that must occur in order to become the envisioned school. Goals help guide the process and keeps people motived throughout the long journey.
Overview of School Change and the Relationship to PLC’s
The structure of American education has changed dramatically since it’s inception. It traditionally sorted students by their abilities. During the Colonial Era, the educational system was built on tiers where only the top few continued on while the others were dismissed (DuFour, DuFour, & Eaker, 2008). During the 1900s, beliefs changed to the idea that the state had a duty to educate all children at least through elementary school, those that could afford to pay went on to high school. When Russia beat America into space by launching Sputnik in 1957, the educational system came under attack and higher
Schools are constantly looking for ways in which to improve. Research has revealed several attributes of a school that proves to lead towards student learning and higher achievement including strong leadership, clear and shared mission, vision, values, and goals, collective inquiry, action oriented, collaborative teams that work interdependently, a focus on student learning and results oriented. These ideas are represented within a Professional Learning Community (PLC). To become a PLC, a staff must make changes in their actions and work together focusing on student learning. PLC’s have evolved out of failed school reform measures. It attempts to make permanent changes to a school’s culture to affect change in student achievement.
There are four main ideas in developing a strong foundation for a PLC. The four essential ideas include a shared mission, vision, values, and goals. A group cannot simply write a well formed mission, they must commit to following through with actions necessary to fulfill their mission. These actions become easier when a vision is created as to what the school should look like and then members list specific behaviors that must occur in order to become the envisioned school. Goals help guide the process and keeps people motived throughout the long journey.
Overview of School Change and the Relationship to PLC’s
The structure of American education has changed dramatically since it’s inception. It traditionally sorted students by their abilities. During the Colonial Era, the educational system was built on tiers where only the top few continued on while the others were dismissed (DuFour, DuFour, & Eaker, 2008). During the 1900s, beliefs changed to the idea that the state had a duty to educate all children at least through elementary school, those that could afford to pay went on to high school. When Russia beat America into space by launching Sputnik in 1957, the educational system came under attack and higher
References: DuFour, R., DuFour, R. & Eaker, R. (2008). Revisiting professional learning communities at work: New insights for improving schools Hord, S.M. Creating a Professional Learning Community: Cottonwood Creek School. Issues about Change, Volume 6, Number 2. Retrieved on Feb. 3, 2011 online from: http://www.allthingsplc.info/pdf/articles/issuesaboutchangecreating.pdf. Nygard, E. (2010). Building Blocks of a PLC: Desired Results and Goals [PDF document]. Retrieved from lecture notes online website: http://angel03.gcu.edu/section/default. Nygard, E. (2010). PLC: Definition and Terms [PDF document]. Retrieved from lecture notes online website: http://angel03.gcu.edu/section/default.asp?id=546410.