Professional Learning Communities SMSD Instructional Fair August 7th, 2017 Mr. David Ewers, Associate Principal, SM North Dr. Todd Dain, Principal, SM South

Professional Learning Communities Where is your gauge?

Professional Learning Communities What do you already know about PLC? Write a Tweet: 140-character definition/description of PLC

Lex Prin: “PLC Guru” PLC video Professional Learning Communities Lex Prin: “PLC Guru” PLC video

Professional Learning Communities in Shawnee Mission The Shawnee Mission School District is committed to ensuring high levels of learning for every student. We ARE a collaborative culture engaged in a systematic, ongoing process to guide ALL students to success.

Professional Learning Communities in Shawnee Mission Belief Statement As a district, we believe that the fundamental purpose of our schools is to: Ensure that all students learn at high levels Work collaboratively to meet the needs of every student Use evidence of student learning to ensure we meet the needs of ALL students Commit to professional learning in our relentless pursuit of student growth

Change in the Mission of Education Professional Learning Communities Change in the Mission of Education Old Mission Every Student CAN learn Assessment OF Learning (Summative) Select and Sort Students Winners and Losers Focus on Teaching New Mission Every Student WILL learn Assessment FOR Learning (Formative) Pyramid of Intervention Failure is Not an Option Focus on Learning

Core Values Ensuring that students learn -Learning for all Professional Learning Communities Core Values Ensuring that students learn -Learning for all A Culture of Collaboration - Teamwork Focus on Results - Data-Driven Decisions Same as PDSA

The Foundation Four Essential Questions Four Big Ideas Professional Learning Communities The Foundation Four Essential Questions Four Big Ideas

4 Essential Questions Professional Learning Communities 1. What do we want students to learn?   (essential standards, minimum competency, guaranteed and viable curriculum) 2. How will we know if each student is learning each of the skills, concepts, and dispositions we have deemed most essential? (administer frequent, team-developed common, formative assessments) 3. How will we respond when some of our students do not learn? (Timely, Directive, Systematic Intervention) 4. How will we enrich and extend the learning for our students who are already proficient?  (Timely Enrichment/Extension)

Big Idea #1 Focus on Learning Professional Learning Communities Big Idea #1 Focus on Learning The ultimate purpose of schools is to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students. If this is true, then schools will: Clarify what each student is expected to learn Monitor each student’s learning on a timely basis Create systems to ensure students receive support if they are not learning

Big Idea #2 Collaborative Culture Professional Learning Communities Big Idea #2 Collaborative Culture “We can achieve our fundamental purpose of high levels of learning for all students only if we work together. We cultivate a collaborative culture through the development of high performing teams.” -DuFour, DuFour, and Eaker Course alike teams Grade level teams Vertical teams Interdisciplinary teams District teams

Big Idea #3 Focus on Results Professional Learning Communities Big Idea #3 Focus on Results We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intention. Individuals, teams, and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement. What does the data tell us?

Big Idea #4 Hard Work & Commitment Professional Learning Communities Big Idea #4 Hard Work & Commitment Initiating and sustaining the PLC model concept requires hard work. A school staff must focus on learning rather than teaching and work collaboratively on matters related to learning. A PLC must hold its members accountable for the kind of results that fuel continual improvement.

A Shift in Response Professional Learning Communities Frequent COMMON FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS to: Inform student decisions Assess frequently Developed jointly by PLC teams Collaborate on response to interventions Monitor student proficiency Respond when kids don’t learn

Professional Learning Communities The Process

Pyramid of Interventions RTI Tier 4- Specialized Learning Targeted students participate in specialized programs, methodologies that include accommodations, modifications, and/or instructional deliveries (according to 504 or IEP). Tier 3 – SIT Based Learning (Student Intervention Team) Formalized, Researched-based Individualized interventions tailored to the needs of the learner. Tier 2 – Needs Based Learning Targeted instruction: Differentiation within the classroom setting and differentiated tasks/assessments (pace, volume, chunking). Tier 1 – Standards Based Learning Universal for all students: Classroom lesson designed with tasks and assessments based on Kansas College and Career Readiness Standards. Increased interventions ALL TEACHERS = ALL TIERS Communication Collaboration Progress Monitoring

Professional Learning Communities The Product How do we know students are learning? Collaboration time is dedicated to the PRODUCT: 1. SMART Goals (Development of learning targets aligned to common assessments for multiple section classes.) 2. Common Formative Assessments (Development and integration of common formative assessments for learning with established common rubrics.) 3. Data (Analysis and interpretation of formative data as it relates to instruction, assessment and interventions.) 4. Lesson Plans (Teams Implement key instructional strategies that address our established district goals.) 5. Interventions (Individualized differentiated strategies and systemic intervention scaffolds to meet the needs of ALL learners.)

Mastery & Minimum Competency Professional Learning Communities Mastery & Minimum Competency 1. What do we want students to learn?   2. How will we know if each student is learning each of the skills, concepts, and dispositions we have deemed most essential? It depends on the standard!!! Is 80% sufficient for: Crossing the street safely? Being Honest? Landing a plane safely? Using a table saw in woods? Getting a hit in baseball? Making a free throw? YOU decide which standards are essential!

Professional Learning Communities PLC: Stages of Team Collaboration ~ where is your team? Stage 1: “What are we supposed to do?” Stage 2: “Let’s share” Stage 3: “Let’s plan” Stage 4: “Let’s create common assessments” Stage 5: “Let’s analyze the common assessments” Stage 6: “Let’s think outside the box with regard to ensuring learning” Stage 7: “Let’s learn from one another what helps students learn”

Professional Learning Communities “Trust is …cultivated through speech, conversation, communication, and action.” -Building Trust by Solomon & Flores “The relationship among the adults in the schoolhouse has more impact on the quality and character of the schoolhouse – and on the accomplishments of youngsters – than any other factor.” - Learning by the Heart by Roland Barth