The purpose of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) is to improve learning outcomes for students. Grade-level teams work collaboratively through cycles of inquiry and action research. This is done by examining core Tier 1 data to determine what MOST students in the grade-level need to know. By focusing in on standards and learning targets, teams of teachers determine what to teach and HOW to teach it. Teachers are in a learning stance as well, trying new strategies and approaches and measuring student success. There are four questions that PLCs can focus in on (Dufour, Dufour, Eaker, & Many, 2010):
What do we want all students to know and be able to do?
How will we know if they learn it?
How will we respond when some students do not learn?
How will we extend the learning for students who are already proficient?
The slideshow presentation below can help guide your teams through the PLC process. Potential resources are linked to each stage in the cycle. Make a copy of the slides HERE.
This document is one suggestion. Use it with your teams if it works for you.