Tina+3.26+Leading+professional+learning+communities

3/26 Session 1349. Leading professional learning communities: exploring practice that effect staff performance Dave wedlock and Mike Schrimph St Louis, MO

Presenters conducted a 3 year study in 13 schools on PLCs. They suggest that PLCs are collaborative problem solving. There seven dimensions of PLCs: They have a shared purpose. Collaborative culture Continuous improvement Results orientated- data Shared leadership Supportive conditions such as PLC work times happens during the contracted day Lessons learned from the study: 1.  Must have shared purpose and results orientated. You have to know where you are (base line) before you can begin. In high functioning schools everyone was involved with creating shared goals and how to measure the results. Everyone has a role in measurement and responding to the results. Because data can be intimidating you have to have a protocol or structure which outlines what to do with it such as look at data and tell what you see, not interpret immediately. Discuss what is there. Provide data support such as a books study to help staff learn about how to use data. Also know that administrators and teachers have different perceptions about data. Look for what is working now and build on that.

Lesson 2  collaborative culture Collaboration isn't always easy, build teams strategically. Establish norms, have agendas, time limits and facilitators. Teachers share instructional outcomes.

Monthly PLC leadership meeting focusing on leadership and management, setting priorities, and best practice sharing.

Ka Piina reflection:  Examining data and working together on shared goals will provide a big impact. In order to do this PLCs should have a trained facilitator and be supported by administration. Having time allotted during contract work hours is important for maintaining attendance in PLC meetings. Monthly focused training sessions for PLC facilitators is a good idea to help them be effective in their group work.