Professional Learning Communities at Work

Professional Learning Communities at Work PDF

Author: Richard DuFour

Publisher: Solution Tree

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781879639607

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Provides specific information on how to transform schools into results-oriented professional learning communities, describing the best practices that have been used by schools nationwide.

The Knowledge Gap

The Knowledge Gap PDF

Author: Natalie Wexler

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2020-08-04

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 0735213569

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The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis--and the seemingly endless cycle of multigenerational poverty. It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.

Leading Professional Learning Communities

Leading Professional Learning Communities PDF

Author: Shirley M. Hord

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2008-02-01

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 1452207887

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Imagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning! Education experts Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers explore the school-based learning opportunities offered to school professionals and the principal's critical role in the creation, development, and support of an effective professional learning community (PLC). This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in initiating and developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. Using field-tested examples, the text illustrates how this research-based school improvement model can help educators: Increase leadership capacity Embed professional development into daily work Create a positive school culture Develop accountability Boost student achievement

Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Communities PDF

Author: Louise Stoll

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)

Published: 2007-03-16

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 0335230253

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“All who are interested and concerned about educational reform and the improvement of schools will find this book a must read. It stimulates, it challenges, and it informs, such that the reader is most surely enriched by its plenitude.” Dr Shirley Hord, Scholar Emerita “At last we have a book of international cases to add to the literature on networks! Policymakers and practitioners alike will find the reasons why networks are fast becoming the reform organizations of choice. The book elevates network understanding to a new level.” Ann Lieberman, Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Foundationfor the Advancement of Teaching What is a professional learning community? What are the key challenges facing these communities and how might they be resolved? Is it time to extend our thinking about professional learning communities? There is great interest internationally in the potential of professional learning communities for enhancing educational reform efforts and sustaining improvement. This international collection expands perceptions and understanding of professional learning communities, as well as highlighting frequently neglected complexities and challenges. Drawing on research, each chapter offers a deeper understanding of topics such as distributed leadership, dialogue, organisational memory, trust, self-assessment and inquiry, and purpose linked to learning. The last section of the book focuses upon three of the most challenging dilemmas that face developing professional learning communities - developing professional learning communities in secondary school, building social capital, and sustaining professional learning communities. The authors provide pointers on why these challenges exist, offering rays of hope for ways forward. Professional Learning Communities is key international reading for education professionals, school practitioners, policymakers, academics and research students. It is a must-read for anyone interested in building capacity for sustainable learning and the ability to harness your community as a resource for change.

Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Learning Communities

Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Learning Communities PDF

Author: Shirley M. Hord

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2013-11-20

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 1452291829

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When teachers learn from each other, students reap the benefits. The first in a series exploring each of Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, this book helps readers understand what it takes to establish and maintain professional learning communities (PLCs) so they increase educator effectiveness and provide the best outcomes for students. This definitive volume details how the Learning Forward standards for professional learning can be applied successfully in any school, and includes: An original essay designed to stretch readers’ thinking by introducing the underlying theory, research, and practice behind learning communities A guide to implementing the Learning Communities standard, with an overview of six critical attributes of PLCs and the seven-step cycle of continuous improvement A case study of the district-wide implementation of PLCs, containing detailed analysis of what worked.

Learning Together, Leading Together

Learning Together, Leading Together PDF

Author: Shirley M. Hord

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2004-01-05

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 9780807744116

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Increasingly the education world is recognizing that the development of learning communities is an effective means for improving schools without increasing the budget or adding new programs. This indispensible volume offers practical advice gathered from 22 schools (elementary, middle, and high schools) that have successfully modeled or are creating professional learning communities.

Building School-Based Teacher Learning Communities

Building School-Based Teacher Learning Communities PDF

Author: Milbrey W. McLaughlin

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 162

ISBN-13: 0807774995

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Building on extensive evidence that school-based teacher learning communities improve student outcomes, this book lays out an agenda to develop and sustain collaborative professional cultures. McLaughlin and Talbert—foremost scholars of school change and teaching contexts—provide an inside look at the processes, resources, and system strategies that are necessary to build vibrant school-based teacher learning communities. Offering a compelling, straightforward blueprint for action, this book: Takes a comprehensive look at the problem of improving the quality of teaching across the United States, based on evidence and examples from the authors’ nearly two decades of research.Demonstrates how and why school-based teacher learning communities are bottom-line requirements for improved instruction. Outlines the resources and supports needed to build and sustain a long-term school-based teacher professional community. Discusses the nature of high-quality professional development to support learning and changes in teaching.Details the roles and responsibilities of policymakers at all levels of the school system. “This book offers vivid examples of how teacher learning communities are formed and sustained. A must-read for educators at all levels who are serious about enacting change.” —Amy M. Hightower, Assistant Director, American Federation of Teachers

Demystifying Professional Learning Communities

Demystifying Professional Learning Communities PDF

Author: Kristine Kiefer Hipp

Publisher: R&L Education

Published: 2010-02-16

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 1607090511

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The purpose of this book is to clearly define an approach to school improvement that uses professional learning community (PLC) practices to achieve school improvement and success for every student. This book offers information, examples and case studies to clarify the concept of a PLC, to respond to critical issues in schools, and to support educational leaders in addressing the important mandates of accountability and school improvement. As school leaders proactively lead efforts to create learning communities, their schools, districts, and staff will incorporate knowledge, skills, and practices that focus on teaching and learning for all. The authors' findings will assist leaders, change agents, policy makers, and university faculty in guiding schools toward creating and maintaining PLCs as they sustain school improvement for student learning.

The Art and Science of Teaching

The Art and Science of Teaching PDF

Author: Robert J. Marzano

Publisher: ASCD

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 233

ISBN-13: 1416606580

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Presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the necessity of research-based data with the equally vital need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students.

Guiding Professional Learning Communities

Guiding Professional Learning Communities PDF

Author: Shirley M. Hord

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2009-11-24

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 141297271X

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This research-based sequel to Leading Professional Learning Communities focuses on the practical process of implementing, improving, and sustaining PLCs. Appropriate for groups at all stages of PLC development, this field book helps educators improve PLC operations by facilitating individual and group development and growth. The authors provide learning opportunities that generate conversations about adult learning and contribute to supportive conditions that strengthen teacher quality and raise student outcomes.