J. Sterling Morton High Schools Learning By Doing PLC/PLT Kick-Off September 7th 2010

Agenda 1. PLT Handbook Overview 2. Today's Objective Establish Team Norms Develop/Refine Mission Statement for PLT Write Action Agenda for Next Meeting Lead Teacher Notes Read over agenda.

PLC Handbook 5 Sections Professional Learning Communities…What are they? How will District 201 Approach PLC implementation? What are the suggested timelines? Unit Design What do PLC Teams actually do at a meeting? What tools will I need to get started? Lead Teacher Notes (Please make extra copies of the PLC Handbook) The PLC handbook was distributed by the LSS Office. Learning Support Services asked that you read through the handbook for today's meeting. If you do not have a copy of the handout, I have made a few extra copies.

PLCs Defined A Professional Learning Community is a group of individuals who have committed to meet regularly for an agreed upon amount of time guided by a common purpose. PLCs provide a forum for learning, assessing, planning and reflecting as a team. PLCs create a collaborative environment where teachers can share, problem solve and set goals that will strengthen teaching and learning resulting in improved student learning and outcomes. Professional Learning Communities focus on learning outcomes, indicators of success and best practice. Professional Learning Communities are a tool by which schools and teachers can continue to grow professionally through their own internal capacity Lead Teacher Notes Read the definition We understand that some staff members were in NWEA M.A.P.s testing training sessions when the Office of Learning Support Services made the PLC presentation. This definition will help everyone share a common understanding of what a PLC is.

PLC vs. PLT A PLC is the community of educators who are committed to the improvement of learning in a given school. A PLT is a smaller team within this community that creates and works toward Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results Oriented, and Time Bound Goals. Lead Teacher Notes Some staff may have questions regarding the terms PLC (Professional Learning Community) and PLT (Professional Learning Team). We want to make it clear that we are all members of a community (District, School, or Department) and a team (Honors Algebra).

The Big Goal of a PLT The goal of the PLT is to help all team members become more knowledgeable about their chosen topic through collaboration during team meetings and through individual study/work between team meetings, with the overall purpose of increasing student achievement. Lead Teacher Notes Professional Learning Team work is job embedded professional development. In our teams we will be able to work together to bring our district to life. The PlT provides a level of support that only working with your colleagues can provide.

Critical Questions What do we want students to learn? How will we know if they have learned? What will we do if they don’t learn? What will we do if they already know it? Lead Teacher Notes We understand that some staff members were in NWEA M.A.P.s testing training sessions when the Office of Learning Support Services made the PLC presentation. It is important that all staff understand that these questions are the driving force behind PLT work. Read the Questions. These Critical questions will drive all of our decision making.

PLC Implementation Our first year of PLC development will focus on departmental teams based on common core subjects. District 201 will provide teachers with structured time to work New Tuesday/Wednesday meeting schedule. Lead Teacher Notes All research supports the axiom that the effective way to improve achievement is to focus on instruction. A group of teachers collaborating on a common course, unit of study, and assessment practice has the power to transform a school

September Timeline Date Task What to Bring Sept. 7/8 Introductions, Establish Team Norms Develop Mission for PLT. PLC Handbook, District Vision, Mission, Goals, and PLC guide created by LSS. Between Meeting Tasks – Give Final Exam as a Pre-Assessment Tool; Create a Cover Sheet for this Final and Call it “Diagnostic Assessment”; and Run Item Analysis Sept. 20/21 Introductions, Review Team Norms, determine major focus area Review diagnostic assessment item analysis Identify goals or targets as suggested by assessment data. Develop SMART Goals Develop Action Plan to achieve Smart Goal. Item Analysis Form (one per prep) Between Meeting Tasks: Implement Action Plan Lead Teacher Notes **The task orientation for September 21st may not apply for CTE, PE/HEALTH, or FINE ARTS. The Director will coordinate with Lead Teachers in these areas.** The general idea is that we will learn by doing. Professional Learning Team work is best described as working on the work. Working on the work is accomplished through: Establish Norms for your group so that you can work together. Identifying how the District’s Mission and Vision are carried out in our individual classrooms Identify how the Vision and Mission for your team Actively participating in the PLT Cycle

PLT Meeting Task Examples Establish and Follow Group Norms Identify Essential Learning Outcomes (Targets) Develop a Guaranteed Viable Curriculum (Designing Instruction) Develop Common Formative Assessments Analyze Assessment Data and Adjust Instruction (Assessment for Learning) Identify and Share Existing Practices and Research-based Practices (Lesson Study) Lead Teacher Notes Over the course of the year we will begin working with different protocols that will allow each PLT to work together to support each other, improve our professional practice, and make learning and teaching exciting.

Example Mission Statement Microsoft Mission Statement A computer on every desk and in every home, all running Microsoft software. Amazon/Kindle Mission Statement Every book ever printed, in any language, all available in less than 60 seconds The College Board Mission Statement The College Board's mission to prepare, inspire, and connect students to college success and opportunity is driven by a commitment to equity and excellence. Lead Teacher notes Microsoft Mission Statement Action Oriented-- Quantifiable—every desk and in every home Qualitative –running Microsoft Software Kindle Mission Statement Quantifiable—every book ever printed, in any language Qualitative –available in less than 60 seconds The College Board

Lead Teacher Notes: We understand that some staff members were in NWEA M.A.P.s testing training sessions when the Office of Learning Support Services made the PLC presentation. It is important that all staff understand that this sample meeting agenda/action record will provide a framework for each meeting and direction for work to be completed between meetings. Please let staff know that each team should ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT a completed action record form no later than the Friday immediately following the PLT Meeting.

Next Steps Norms of Our Learning Team PLT Mission Statement Being Felxible PLT Mission Statement Convey clearly what the PLT is trying to do. “Who we are" and "Why we are here.“ A goal that's an action, not a sentiment; that is quantifiable, not nebulous; that is qualitative, not broad. Action Agenda for September 20th Lead Teacher Notes Restate Establish Team Norms Develop/Refine Mission Statement for PLT Write Action Agenda for Next Meeting