Professional Professional Learning Learning

CommunitiesCommunities

A school-wide approach to A school-wide approach to

ensure that all students learnensure that all students learn

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Definition: “…A Professional Learning Definition: “…A Professional Learning Community is a collaboration of Community is a collaboration of teachers, administrators, parents, teachers, administrators, parents, and students who work together to and students who work together to seek out the best practices, test seek out the best practices, test them in the classroom, continuously them in the classroom, continuously improve processes, and focus on improve processes, and focus on results.”results.”

Rick DuFour, 2002.Rick DuFour, 2002.

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Fundamental AssumptionsFundamental Assumptions1.1. We can make a difference: Our We can make a difference: Our

schools can be more effective.schools can be more effective.

2.2. Improving our people is the key to Improving our people is the key to improving our schools.improving our schools.

3.3. Significant school improvement will Significant school improvement will impact teaching and learning.impact teaching and learning.

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One ThingOne Thing

The ONE thing about a Professional The ONE thing about a Professional Learning Community is that learning, Learning Community is that learning, rather than teaching, is the rather than teaching, is the fundamental purpose of your school.fundamental purpose of your school.

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1.1. Focus on LearningFocus on Learning What do we want students to learn?What do we want students to learn? How will we know if they have learned?How will we know if they have learned? What will we do if they don’t learn?What will we do if they don’t learn? What will we do if they already know What will we do if they already know

it?it?

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How will we know if they have learned?

What will we dowith students who

have learned?

What do we want students to learn?

What will we do toassist students who have not learned?

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1.1. Focus on LearningFocus on Learning

2.2. Build a Collaborative CultureBuild a Collaborative Culture no school can help all students achieve no school can help all students achieve

at high levels if teachers work in at high levels if teachers work in isolationisolation

Schools improve when teachers are Schools improve when teachers are given time and support to work together given time and support to work together to clarify essential student learning, to clarify essential student learning, develop common assessments, analyze develop common assessments, analyze evidence of student learning, and use evidence of student learning, and use that evidence to learn from one anotherthat evidence to learn from one another

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1.1. Focus on LearningFocus on Learning2.2. Build a Collaborative CultureBuild a Collaborative Culture3.3. Focus on ResultsFocus on Results

PLC’s measure their effectiveness on the PLC’s measure their effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentionsbasis of results rather than intentions

All programs, policies, and practices are All programs, policies, and practices are continually assessed on the basis of their continually assessed on the basis of their impact on student learningimpact on student learning

All staff member receive relevant and All staff member receive relevant and timely information on their effectiveness timely information on their effectiveness in achieving intended resultsin achieving intended results

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PLC’sPLC’s

1.1. Focus on LearningFocus on Learning

2.2. Build a Collaborative CultureBuild a Collaborative Culture

3.3. Focus on ResultsFocus on Results

Katy ISD: Cinco RanchKaty ISD: Cinco Ranch

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HandoutsHandouts

Cultural Shifts in a Professional Learning Cultural Shifts in a Professional Learning CommunityCommunity

The Professional Learning Community The Professional Learning Community ContinuumContinuum

Critical Issues for Team ConsiderationCritical Issues for Team Consideration Questions to Guide the Work of Your Questions to Guide the Work of Your

Professional Learning CommunityProfessional Learning Community Team SMART Goal-setting Plan, Team SMART Goal-setting Plan,

Worksheet, and SampleWorksheet, and Sample

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Steps to SuccessSteps to Success Jump InJump In

start anywhere; somewhere; NOWstart anywhere; somewhere; NOW Establish NormsEstablish Norms Align the CurriculumAlign the Curriculum Create Common AssessmentsCreate Common Assessments

formative; summative; not necessarily testsformative; summative; not necessarily tests Analyze and Use the ResultsAnalyze and Use the Results Reteach and EnrichReteach and Enrich Do It All Over AgainDo It All Over Again

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Questions?Questions?

All Things PLCAll Things PLC