Full Description
The secret to your PLC's success? You.
Commitment to improving student outcomes is a natural part of being a teacher. So when you bring your experience, skills, and questions to a professional learning community, you help shape the future of the team—and that makes all the difference for your students.
Unlike other PLC resources, this book isn't just for leaders—it's designed to help every member of the team be a driving force for success. With it, you'll work together to
Give voice to important issues and dilemmas
Decide where to focus your work
Develop and implement a plan for gaining insight into your area of focus
Take action based on individual and collective learning
Share results with others outside the PLC
Successful PLCs buzz with a collaborative energy that comes from the engagement of teachers. With this guide, you'll make the most of your contributions.
"The PLC Book is an essential resource for all principals and teachers who wish to create a powerful culture of adult and student learning in their schools. . . . A must-read for all who are currently engaging in or wish to begin Professional Learning Communities in their schools."
- Todd Whitaker, Professor
Indiana State University
"The PLC Book is destined to be an essential text in the fields of teacher education, teacher professional development, school administration and a handbook for teachers and others engaged in the pursuit of systemic educational change."
- Frances Rust, Senior Fellow & Director of Teacher Education Program
University of Pennsylvania
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
1. PLC Defined
What Is A PLC?
Do PLCs Really Work?
How Do PLCs Work?
Why Is This Book Called The PLC Book?
2. Getting Started
What Getting Started Is and Why It's Important
How to Get Started
What Does Getting Started Look Like?
Questions For Discussion
3. Establishing A PLC's Direction
What Establishing A PLC Direction Is and Why It's Important
How To Establish A Direction For Your PLC
What Does Establishing A Direction For Your PLC Look Like?
Questions For Discussion
4. Developing A PLC Action Learning Plan
What A PLC Action Learning Plan Is and Why It's Important
How To Develop A PLC Action Learning Plan
What Might Developing An Action Learning Plan Look Like?
Questions For Discussion
5. Analyzing Data In Your PLC
What Data Analysis Is and Why It's Important
How To Analyze Data
What Might Analyzing Data Look Like?
Questions for Discussion
6. Making PLC Learning Public
What Making PLC Learning Public Is and Why It's Important
How to Make PLC Learning Public
What Might Sharing the Work of Your PLC Look Like?
Questions for Discussion
7. Essential Elements of Healthy PLCs
Establish a Vision
Build Trust
Understand and Embrace Collaboration
Encourage, Recognize and Appreciate Diversity Within the Group
Promote the Development of Critical Friends
Pay Attention to the Work "In-Between"
Hold the Group Accountable for and Document Their Learning
Have a Comprehensive View of What Constitutes Data
Understand Change and Acknowledge The Discomfort It May Bring
Work With Building Administrators
References
