What is a Professional Learning Community (PLC)?
"A PLC is comprised of a group of educators committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research in order to achieve better for the students they serve. PLC's operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators. (Dufour, Dufour, Eaker, 2007).
Why do we need it?
Research demonstrates that the development of a strong professional community among educators is key ingredient in improving schools (Fullan 1999; Langer 2000; Little and McLaughlin 1993; Louis, Kruse, and Marks 1996; Newman and Associates 1996).
According to Dufour, the characteristics of a PLC include:
- Shared mission, vision, values, goals
- Collaborative teams focused on learning
- Collective inquiry into "best practice" and "current reality"
- Action orientation/experimentation
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Results
First Big Idea: Ensuring That Students Learn
- We accept high levels of learning as the fundamental purpose of our school and therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning.
- Collaborative cultures, which by definition have close relationships, are indeed powerful, but unless they are focusing on the right things they may end up being powerfully wrong. (Fullan, M.G., 1999)
- We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather that intentions. Individuals, teams, and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement in instructional practice and strategies.
"The focus of collective inquiry is both a search for best practice for helping all students learn at high levels and an honest assessment of the current reality regarding teaching practices and student learning. The dialogue generated from these questions in intended to result in the academic focus, collective commitments, and productive professional relationships that enhance learning for teachers and students alike." (Dufour, 2006, p. 21)
The following video highlights the importance of being able to share our ideas with others.
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