“Making the Case for Professional Learning Communities” Placer County Office of Education Renee Regacho-Anaclerio- Assistant Superintendent Educational Services Gerald Williams- Coordinator Professional Development

Focus on Learning  We accept high levels of learning for all students as the fundamental purpose of our school and therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning. First Big Idea of PLCs:

A Collaborative Culture With a Focus on Learning for ALL  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. Second Big Idea of PLCs:

Focus on Results  We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. Individual, teams and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement. Third Big Idea of PLCs:

 Members of PLC’s are action oriented  Value engagement and experience as the most effective teachers  Recognize that learning by doing develops a deeper, and more profound knowledge as well as a greater commitment  Engage in collective inquiry and action research Fourth Big Idea of PLCs: Action Orientation: Learning by Doing

PLC’s display a persistent disquiet with the status quo and a constant search for a better way to achieve goals and accomplish the purpose of the organization which is high levels of learning for all students. Fifth Big Idea of PLCs: A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Results Orientation: Focus on Results  We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions.  Individual, teams and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement.  Unless initiatives are subjected to ongoing assessment on the basis of tangible results, they represent random groping in the dark. DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, 2008 Sixth Big Idea of PLCs:

Siegfried & Roy Middle School Case Study  It is our mission to ensure all our students acquire the knowledge and skills essential to achieving their full potential and becoming productive citizens.  It is our mission to give each student the opportunity to learn according to his or her ability and to create a school that is attentive to the emotional needs of every student. Pontius Pilot Mission Statement

Failure to Build Consensus How would a PLC work to build consensus ? Leaders of a PLC recognize it is a mistake to launch an improvement initiative without support of a guiding coalition. A principal benefits by working through the issues with a small group of key staff members and securing them as allies before engaging the entire faculty.

A comprehensive study of effective school leadership concluded the creation of a guiding coalition or leadership team is a critical first step in the complex task of leading a school (Marzano, Waters, & McNulty, 2005).

Confusing Mission with Action We have found no correlation between the presence of a written mission statement, or even the wording of a mission statement, and a school’s effectiveness as a PLC (Du Four, DuFour, Eaker, Many, 2006). The words of a mission state are not worth the paper they are written on unless people begin to do differently (Du Four, DuFour, Eaker, Many, 2006).

MissionVisionValuesGoals WHY? Why do we exist? What? What must our school become to accomplish our purpose? How? How must we behave to achieve our vision? FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE Compelling Future Collective Commitments Targets and Timelines Clarifies Priorities and Sharpens Focus Gives DirectionsGuides Behavior Establishes Priorities HOW WILL WE MARK OUR PROGRESS?

The Professional Learning Community Continuum 1.Independently rank each element of a PLC to one of the 4 stages of implementation. 2.Compare results within your team. Are there differences? 3.In your team discuss some possible activities and strategies to move your school on the PLC Continuum.

Part Five: Tips for Moving Forward 1.On chart paper summarize the main point(s) of each of the 9 sections on pages

Part Six: Questions to Guide the Work of Your PLC. 1.As a team select one question per section (pages 40-42) the groups believes would be the most difficult to work through at your school. 2.Discuss possible strategies to work through that question.