International Center for Leadership in Education

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Communities of Continuous Inquiry and Improvement

"Educational change depends on what teachers do and think it's as simple and as complex as that."
Fullan and Steigelbauer

Activity

What is a professional learning community?

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

A professional learning community engages the entire group of professionals in coming together for learning within a supportive, self-created community.

Activity

What is the climate of daily professional learning? Survey Checklist-p. 12

Activity

Review Suggestions
How many are your school involved in? p. 13

Common Mistakes
Too much complacency Not a powerful and passionate leadership team Underestimate the power of the team Failure to celebrate and recognize short-term gains Neglecting the culture

Teacher Benefits
Less Isolation More Buy-in to the Goals of the School Shared Responsibility for Students Successes New Knowledge about Teaching and Learning More Informed; Renewed Higher Morale, Greater Satisfaction, Improved Attendance

Student Benefits
Decreased Drop-out Rate Less Absenteeism Improved Academic Results Decreased Achievement Gap between Students from Different Backgrounds

PLC vs. TRADITIONAL

4 Students Learn vs. Students Taught 4 Culture of Collaboration vs. Culture of Isolation 4 Capacity of Staff Together for Improvement vs. Improvement 4 Results vs. Activities 4 Assessment for Learning vs. Assessment of Learning 4 Widespread, Dispersed Leadership vs. the Charismatic Leader 4 Success Depends on Effort vs. External Forces Determine Success

Activity

Powerful Designs for Professional Learning-pp. 6-11

Activity
Who? What and Why? When? How? Cost?

Activities

Book Study Group Peer Teaching Peer Review CORR (Collaborating Online for Rigor and Relevance) Personal Growth Plan

CORR
http://rigor-relevance.com

Professional Development

Levels of Evaluation
4 Participant Feedback 4 Change in Teacher Practice 4 Impact on Student Achievement 4 Systemic

Professional Development Rubric

We often face the unknown with fear and uncertainty.

Learning Activity Retention

Teach Others/Use Learning Practice & Real Application Discussion Group Demonstration

Amount of Transfer

90% 75% 50% 30% 20% 10%

Audio Visual
Reading

Lecture

5%

The bottom line is that there is just no way to create good schools without good teachers.
-National Commission on Teaching and Americas Future, 1996-

Your Reaction?????

Never doubt that a small group of citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

Staying

on the Cutting Edge

Focus on the real goals Keep yourself learning Share with others Dont follow others blindly

Staying on the Cutting Edge

Recognize the need for change

Staying on the Cutting Edge

Recognize the need for change Focus on the real goals

Look into the future through the eyes of a child?

Staying on the Cutting Edge Recognize the need for change Focus on the real goals Keep yourself learning

Sometimes, I feel like I know less today than I did yesterday.

Staying on the Cutting Edge Recognize the need for change Focus on the real goals Keep yourself learning Share with others

Are you still making all of the decisions?

Staying on the Cutting Edge

Recognize the need for change Focus on the real goals Keep yourself learning Share with others Dont follow others blindly

Lovers never send form letters.

Further Information
ICLE
at www.LeaderEd.com

International Center for Leadership in Education, Inc.

Helen M. Branigan Senior Consultant 1587 Route 146 Rexford, NY 12148 Phone (518) 399-2776 Fax (518) 399-7607

hbranigan@aol.com