Professional Learning Communities Connecting the Initiatives PLC Teacher Collaboration Student Achievement PLCs DINA Plan ME SLE/ Iowa CORE CSIP Continuous Improvement

DINA Interview Questions What process does the district use to determine whether curriculum, instruction and assessment are aligned at the classroom, building, and district level, and with the district’s standards and benchmarks? How does the school/district check that teachers are implementing the standards & benchmarks? What kinds of assessment data do you use to document student progress throughout the year? Describe how you and your colleagues are using formative assessment to change instruction. What is the focus of the district professional development plan? How is the focus determined for the district? What is the content of professional development? To what extent is the teacher learning implemented with fidelity? Do you have scheduled collaboration meetings & what typically happens at these meetings? What is the impact on student performance?

Outcome 1: School leaders build and sustain system capacity to implement the Iowa Core Curriculum. Outcome 2: Community members & other supporting agencies work together to support the implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum Outcome 3: A continuous improvement process to improve teaching and learning is used at the district and school level. Outcome 4: District leaders & other educators monitor & use data to increase the degree of alignment of each and every student’s enacted curriculum & other relevant educational opportunities to the Iowa Core Curriculum. Outcome 5: Educators engage in professional development focused on implementing Characteristics of Effective Instruction & Assessment & demonstrate understanding of Essential Concepts & Skill Sets. Outcome 6: Educators implement effective instructional practices for each and every student.

Professional Learning Communities Connecting the Initiatives PLC Teacher Collaboration Student Achievement PLCs DINA Plan ME SLE/ Iowa CORE CSIP Continuous Improvement

Changing the Focus Every student can learn Every student will learn Old Focus Every student can learn Focus on teaching Isolation Assessment OF learning (Summative) Failure is an option New Focus Every student will learn Focus on learning Collaboration Assessment FOR learning (Formative) Failure is not and option ME

PLC Institute: Intended Outcomes PLC Development What are PLCs? Congruency & Consistent Quality of Instruction How can PLCs improve student achievement and help close the achievement gap? How are collaborative cultures/teams developed? How does a focus on learning differ from a focus on teaching? SLE & IA CORE What can be done when students don’t learn/already know? Pyramid Response to Intervention (RTI) Sandy

PLC Institute: Participant Expectations Share the vision & key information from the PLC institute with colleagues Assist in developing the SIP/PLC action plan Support the implementation of the PLC plan Assist in the development of a collaborative culture Provide leadership & support for PLCs throughout the school year ME

PLC Institute Feedback

PLC Feedback I get it! The picture is now complete! Our district has been working towards this for several years. We already have a lot in place with CI, mission, SMART goals, SLE, formative assessment, data, data centers & folders, etc….. It just makes sense! “It’s not the words “Professional Learning Community” that makes the difference. It is the emphasis on Learning that drives everything.”

PLC Feedback “We need to focus on the right questions.” Collaboration, Collaboration, Collaboration “Importance of culture to enhance learning.” “We need to focus on the right questions.” Collaboration & common assessments will allow me to adapt my strategies as needed by individual students. Where is our Pyramid of Interventions?!! Thanks & Vision

PLC Feedback We can’t wait for all staff to get onboard…we have to move forward without them.” Working with resistant people you can’t change people’s attitudes, focus on their behaviors and making better experiences for them. “Looking at the student through a different lens. Excellence for all”

PLC Three Year Plan

Discuss preliminary thoughts on action plans for implementing PLCs. Share Action Plans Discuss preliminary thoughts on action plans for implementing PLCs. During the 09-10 school year every School will develop an action plan to implement the PLC framework that will include a timeline, opportunities for input/feedback, action steps from year 2 PLC plan, data collection regarding PLC teams, time spent in collaboration. ME

Matrix of Alignment Elementary Mary Ellen

Matrix of Alignment Sandy

What support do you need from the district to implement PLCs? Sandy