1. Collaborative Inquiry and Professional Learning Communities
Michael Scarantino, TIC DAAR/CFI/ CEI-PEA

2. The collaborative inquiry process
School Self-Assessment and Goal Setting with the Principal
Launching the Inquiry: Considering An Entry Point
Inquiry Team(s) Formation / Building and Deepening Inquiry Team Collaboration
Continue to Share Inquiry Process and Lessons Learned

3. What is collaborative inquiry?
As part of the Children First reforms, we believe collaborative inquiry to be a sustained process of investigation and action that empowers teachers to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap.
Focused on student outcomes, using a systematic, data-informed approach
Conducted by teams of teachers with a focus on small groups of students, paying close attention to those who are struggling while supporting the learning of all students
Designed to develop and deepen rigorous, research-based instructional strategies and frameworks

4. Why is collaborative inquiry important?
Improves student outcomes
Allows multiple teams, focused on additional cohorts of students, to study the most effective ways to increase student performance
Provides opportunities for teams of teachers across disciplines to find ways for students to succeed in other content areas
Develops teacher capacity and collaboration
Empowers teachers to make the decisions about how best to instruct their students
Organizes teachers around the learning of a select group of students for whom they then share responsibility
Focuses teachers on aligning assessment, curriculum, instruction, and professional development to generate school-wide improvement
Builds school capacity
Improves learning and teaching within schools
Creates a “learner-centered school” where administration, faculty, and students are continuously studying their own work and exploring new ways to be more effective
Supports the sharing of promising practices between schools
Establishes and/or deepens collaboration and communication between school and home

5. Instructional Inquiry Cycle
Look at student work/data
Look at teacher work
Engage external resources
Set goals and take action
Monitor and track progress

6. The 3 BIG Ideas of a PLC are: Build a Collaborative Culture
What are PLCs?
“A Professional Learning Community (PLC) is educators committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve. PLCs operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators.”
The 3 BIG Ideas of a PLC are:
Focus on Learning
Build a Collaborative Culture
Focus on Results

7. 6 Essential Characteristics of a PLC
Shared Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
Collaborative Teams focused on learning
Collective Inquiry
Action orientation and experimentation
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Results Orientation

8. Collaborative Inquiry Process in Action
Activity: As you watch the video, jot down a few key ideas about the inquiry process. Talk with a partner about what you SAW and HEARD in the video and how it may or may not have changed your view about Collaborative Inquiry and PLCs.
On the post-its before you exit, please do the following:
Write 3 things you learned about Collaborative Inquiry/PLCs
Write 2 questions/concerns you still have about Collaborative Inquiry/PLCs
Write 1 comment for the presenter on how he might tailor this presentation in the future or something you would keep.
THANK YOU!