1. By Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker
Professional Learning Communities at Work Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement
By Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker

3. Where do we begin?

4. Complexity of the Change Process
Recognizing how difficult change really is!

5. Mission Why do we exist? Why are we doing what we’re doing?
What is it exactly we expect children to learn?
How do we…
respond when children do not learn?
fulfill our collective responsibility to ensure that learning takes place for all students?

6. Vision What do we hope to become? Motivates and energizes
Creates proactive orientation
Gives direction
Establishes standards of excellence
Creates clear agenda for action

7. Values How must we behave in order to make shared vision a reality?
Value Statements
Few in number
Linked to the vision
Focused on behavior not beliefs
Focused on self rather than others

8. Goals Which steps will we take first and when?
“Visions may inspire, but goals foster ongoing accountability.” (page 100)
Effective goals specify…
What is to be accomplished?
Actions to achieve goals
Responsible party
Timeline
Evaluation criteria

9. Common Mistakes Too much complacency
Failing to create a strong leadership team
Underestimate the power of the vision
Failing to create short term wins
Neglecting to anchor change in culture

10. Sustaining School Improvement
Collaboration embedded into daily life
Purposeful
Structured
Facilitated
Educators must be trained to be effective collaborators
Individually and collectively work as true professionals

11. Embedding Change in School Culture
Protecting shared values
Engaging in reflective dialogue
Celebrating shared values & progress

12. Curricular Focus Collaborative adoption process Research based
Effective unit plans
Appropriate assessment model
Commitment to continuous improvement

13. Role of the Principal Lead through shared vision and values
Model vision and values
Shared decision making
Create collaborative structures
Focus on learning rather than teaching
Be fixated on results

14. Role of the Parents Parental Involvement
Significant to success of student achievement
Greater involvement = greater achievement
Translates into positive attitudes and behaviors
Significant at any age of student development

15. Role of Parents Parents as Partners
Communication between parent, school, student is dynamic
Advocates for change within community and school
Parenting skills are promoted
Parents become valuable volunteers
Share in decision making

16. Teaching in a Professional Learning Community
Emphasis on learning rather than teaching
Emphasize active student engagement with significant content
Focus on student performance and production
Collaborate with colleagues
Teachers are students of teaching and consumers of research
Function as leaders

17. Staff Development
Content
Process
Context

18. Content Research based
Focuses on generic and discipline specific teaching skills
Expands repertoire to meet student needs

19. Process Attentive to the tenets of good teaching
Coaching and supporting
Results in reflection and dialogue
Sustainable
Evaluated

20. Context Focused on school, supported by district
Embedded in daily work
Foster renewal
Individual
Organizational

21. Conclusions
“The bottom line is that there is just no way to create good schools without good teachers.”
–National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, 1996

22. About the Authors Richard DuFour, Ed.D. Robert Eaker, Ed.D
Superintendent of Adlai Stevenson High School District 125
Distinguished alumni award Illinois State University
Robert Eaker, Ed.D
Dean of College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University
Consultant on school improvement
Co-authored Creating the New American School
Background art design by Charles Neumeyer & Grannan Graphic Design LTD