The Finishing Pieces

ACSD Summer Conference 2008

Karen SullardsPrincipalBayou Meto ElemPCSSD

Professional Learning Communities: A Cultural Shift

Getting Started: Reculturing Schools to Become Professional Learning

Communities

by Robert Eaker, Richard Dufour, &

Rebecca B. Dufour

The Charles Darwin SchoolWe believe all kids can learn…based on

their ability

The Pontius Pilate SchoolWe believe all kids can learn…if they take

advantage of the opportunity we give them to learn

The Chicago Cubs Fans SchoolWe believe all kids can learn…something ,

and we will help all students experience growth in a warn and nurturing environment.

The Henry Higgins SchoolWe believe all kids can learn…and we will

work to help all students achieve high standards oflearning

“In Schools, treading water is no longer an option. School People must either propel themselves in some direction, be towed or sink.” --Roland Barth

Focus on learning A collaborative working culture Inquiry into best practices and

current reality Learn by doing Commitment to continuous

improvement Results oriented

The very essence of a learning community is a focus on and a commitment to the learning of each student..

Shifts focus of school from teaching to learning

Adult Learning – in order for a school to be effective the adults must be continually learning

Research Says:

It is the single most important factor for successful school improvement and the 1st order of business for those seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their school.

--Eastwood and Lewis

A Professional Learning Community is composed of collaborative teams whose members work interdependently to achieve a common goal linked to the purpose of learning for all

“Without collaborative teams and relationships it is not possible to learn and continue to learn as much as you need to know to improve.”

--Michael Fullen

Where we are Sharing Craft Knowledge Develop new skills, teaching

strategies and capabilitiesWhich over time becomes a heightened awareness

which over time transforms the culture of the school.

Members of PLC’s are action orientated:

They move quickly to turn aspirations into actions and visions into reality.

Research show the most powerful learning always occurs in the context of taking action (Kids and Adults)

Avoids paralysis by analysis and overcomes inertia with action

Evidence of the current levels of student learning

Develop Strategies to address weaknesses and build on strengths

Implement those strategies Analyze the impact of the changes

to see what was effective Apply new knowledge in next cycle

of continuous improvement

What exactly do we expect students to learn?

What does it look like? How will we know when each student has acquired these skills?

How does the PLC respond when the student does not learn?

TRADITIONAL PLC

Traditional Schools Each teacher

independently decides what to teach.

Curriculum overload is common.

Professional Learning Communities Collaboratively agreed

upon curriculum focuses on what students are expected to learn.

Reduced content means meaningful content is taught at greater depth.

Assessment is developed through collaboration.

A plan for responding to student who are not learning is developed through collaboration.

TRADITIONAL PLC

Traditional SchoolsDecisions

about improvement strategies are made by “averaging opinions.”

Professional Learning CommunitiesDecisions are

research-based with collaboration teams of teachers seeking out “best practices

TRADITIONAL PLC

Traditional SchoolsEffectiveness of

improvement strategies is externally validated. Teachers rely on others outside the school to identify what works.

Emphasis is placed on how teachers like various approaches.

Professional Learning Communities Approaches are

internally validated. Teams of teachers try various approaches and collaborate on how the approaches affect student learning.

The effect on student learning is the primary basis for assessing various improvement strategies.

Traditional SchoolsAdministrators

are viewed as being in leadership positions while teachers are viewed as “implementors” or followers.

Traditional SchoolsAdministrators are

viewed as being in leadership positions while teachers are viewed as “implementors” or followers.

TraditionalLeadership is top

down with teachers taking a secondary role to the principal

PLCTeachers share the

leadership by Reading Action Research Analyze Data New Strategies Work Collaboratively

with others by:

Planning

Modeling

Sharing Craft

Knowledge

Energize others to join the leadership process

Develop talent and commitment of others

Teachers view themselves as empowered because of the shared responsibilities

Don’t have all the answers Display a collaborative nature Rely on leadership rather than authority Comfortable with WIN/WIN with staff

Promote a common vision Maintain focus on learning and instructional

matters Acknowledge the challenges and rewards of

shared leadership Open to feedback Learn from Experience Listen to requests from teachers to provide

materials, time, and the opportunity to assume leadership

Work with teachers to provide staff development needs that have been identified

Hold as a group a clear, shared mission/vision of the school

Use Action Research to improve instruction

Strong teacher leadership Effective instructional programs Shared craft knowledge among teachers Are collaborative Are reflective

Bayou Meto Elementary Before PLCs 2005After PLCs 2006 and 2007

YEAR 3RD MATH

3RD LIT 4TH MATH

4TH LIT

5TH MATH

5TH LIT

05 69 % 51 % 74 % 53 % 43 % 54 %

06 75 % 63 % 79 % 77 % 53 % 68 %

07 86 % 75 % 79 % 74 % 77 % 75 %

08 89% 67% 89% 77% 80% 81%

Arnold Drive Elementary Before PLCs 2005After PLCs 2006 and 2007

YEAR 3RD MATH

3RD LIT 4TH MATH

4TH LIT

5TH MATH

5TH LIT

05 66 % 68 % 55 % 60 % 53 % 60 %

06 75 % 68 % 70 % 68 % 72 % 72 %

07 80 % 68 % 97 % 69 % 81 % 89 %

To Change Others…..1st Change YourselfCreate small collaborative, committed andempowered groupsFocused on learning and results

Margaret Mead, noted anthropologist, states“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful

committed people can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

PLCs are helping us make those changes in some Arkansas Schools.

PLC