Paul Farmerpd@Solution-

Tree.com

July 11, 2011

What is a PLC?

How do we summarize that?

3 Big Ideas

4 Critical Questions

4 Schools Activity

Creating a Vision: G.O.I.L.S.

Creating a Mission:

“The Journey to Becoming a Professional Learning Community”

 District Plan

 Developing a 3 hour plan

1. A Focus on Learning

2. A Collaborative Culture

3. A Focus on Results

The guiding principle of a PLC is that the purpose of the

school is to ensure high levels of learning for all students and

staff. We will focus the attention and energy of the entire

school on learning not just teaching. We will validate our decisions by asking, “what is

the impact of our effort on learning?”

The guiding principle of a PLC is that the purpose of the

school is to ensure high levels of learning for all students.

Our fundamental purpose of high levels of learning will

increase if we work together. We will develop processes and procedures to work in collaborative interdependent teams.In teams we will develop and agree on a purpose, meeting norms, and commitment to professional communication focused on learning.

We assess our effectiveness in helping all students learn at high levels on the basis of results rather than activity.

We will use multiple indicators to judge our effectiveness on student achievementWe will move past only analyzing student achievement data to make action plans

1. What is it we expect them to learn?

(essential skills, guaranteed, and viable curriculum)

2. How will we know they are learning?

(frequent, team-developed, common formative assessments)

3. How will we respond when they don’t learn?

(timely, directive, systematic interventions)

4. How will we respond when they do?

(timely enrichment and extension)

Four SchoolsEach School Says

ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN!

A. Which school did you attend?

B. Which school would you like to work at?

C. Which school do you work at?

D. Which school would you want your child

or loved one to attend?

1. We believe that all students can learn, but the extent of their learning is determined by their innate ability or aptitude. This aptitude is relatively fixed and, as teachers, we have little influence over the extent of student learning. It is our job to create multiple programs or tracks that address the different abilities of students, and then guide students to the appropriate program. This ensures that students have access to the proper curriculum and an optimum opportunity to master material appropriate to their ability.

2. We believe that all students can learn if they elect to put forth the necessary effort. It is our job to provide all students with the opportunity to learn, and we fulfill our responsibility when we attempt to present lessons that are both clear and engaging. In the final analysis, however, while it is our job to teach, it is the student’s job to learn. We should invite students to learn but honor their decision if they elect not to do so.

3. We believe that all students can learn and that it is our responsibility to help each student demonstrate some growth in a learning environment that is warm and inviting. The extent of the growth will be determined by a combination of the student’s innate ability and effort. It is our job to encourage all students to learn as much as possible, but the extent of their learning is dependent on factors over which we have little control.

4. We believe that all students can learn and must learn at relatively high levels of achievement. It is our job to create an environment in our classrooms that result in this high level of performance. We are confident that, with our support and help, students can master challenging academic material, and we expect them to do so. We are prepared to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to achieve this shared educational purpose.

Page 1

Think about Tulsa Public Schools, “What is a PLC” Article, data from the 4 schools

activity, 3 Big Ideas, and the 4 Critical Questions that drive the work of

Professional Learning Communities

Jot Down Your Thoughts on the Connections!

Page 2

It is now July 2016 you turn to your favorite news channel. What would you

hope to hear the anchor say about Tulsa Public Schools? It must be news

worthy.

Page 3

Align district/school policies, practices, and procedures with the learning mission.

Build collaborative teams that focus on learning. Build the foundation for a professional learning

community. Clarify “What is a professional learning

community?” Facilitate adult learning. Focus on learning. Focus on results to inform and improve

professional practice. Set aside systematic time and support for

learning (intervention and enrichment). Strive for continuous improvement. Why establish a professional learning community?

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Page 8

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Warm-up – IcebreakerWhat is a PLC?

4 SchoolsVision & Mission

G.O.I.L.S.Journey CardsLBD Continuum

Closure – Out the Door Ticket?

Page 11

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Paul Farmerpd@Solution-

Tree.com

July 11, 2011

Page 6

What teams are in place now?

How would one know the outcomes of the team meetings if they are not in attendance?

Page 7

Post-it

Logical Question

Write one question you have about Professional Learning Communities

Share and discuss your understanding or question with one other person and agree on one card to submit.

Page 1

Once the Essentials are Identified

Page 2

1. Resources: What instructional material and resources do are gathered and utilized to assist in delivering the Essential Learning?

2. Consistency: How can consistency be developed from one class to the next with the expected learning?

3. Monitoring: What agreements can reached to monitor essential learning is taking place?

State StandardsRecommended Standards from Professional OrganizationsDistrict Curriculum GuidesPrerequisite Skills for Students Entering a CourseDistrict or State Assessment FrameworkPast Assessment ResultsNeeded Workplace SkillsReleased Test ItemsRecommendations from authors such as Reeves, Jacobs, Marzanno, Wiggins, and McTighe

Adapted from Learning By Doing, 2006 p. 47

Corollary Question 1

Recent research reveals that teaching to the state standards would require approximately 23 years.

(Marzanno, 2003)

Corollary Question 2

Page 2

1. Efficiency – by sharing the load teachers save time2. Equity & Fairness – promotes common goals,

similar pacing, and consistent standards for assessing student learning

3. Effective Monitoring – provides timely evidence of whether the guaranteed and viable curriculum is being taught and learned

4. Informs teacher practice – provides teachers with a base of comparison regarding the achievement of their students so they can see strengths and weaknesses of their teaching

5. Team Capacity – collaborative teacher teams are able to identify and address problem areas in their program

6. Collective Response – helps teams and the schools create timely, systematic interventions for students

Modified from Learning by Doing, 2006 pages 56-57

Assessment Literacy improves for teachers as they develop,

administer and make instructional decisions based on student results

improves for students with frequency and continued support as necessary

Learning by Doing Second Edition 2010, Page 77-78

Why Common Assessments?

“Teachers of the same course or level should have absolute common

agreement on what they expect all their students to know and be able to

do.”(Douglas Reeves)

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8 – 10 Essential Outcomes Data from past indicators of achievement Examples of rubrics Released items from state assessments, nationally

normed tests (ACT, SAT, ITBS, NAEP, etc.) Instructional pacing guides Recommendations from Stiggins, Reeves, etc. Teacher-made assessments Textbook tests

Fullan, 2005a; Hargreaves & Fink, 2006; Reeves, 2004; Schmokler, 2003; Stiggins, 2005

“One of the most powerful, high-leverage strategies for improving student learning available to schools is

the creation of frequent, common, high-quality formative assessments by teachers who are working collaboratively to help a group of students develop

agreed-upon knowledge and skills”

Fullan, 2005a; Hargreaves & Fink, 2006; Reeves, 2004; Schmokler, 2003; Stiggins, 2005

Learning By Doing page 55

5 Essential skills assessed once a monthSkills must fall under the standards if

the students will be assessed by a high stakes in that grade or subject area

No less than 5, no more than 15 questions

Format must match high stakes assessment

Common formative assessments will not be graded

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What is the response at your school when a student is not succeeding?

How are students identified who need additional time and support?

Page 3

Engage students in self-reflection, self-analysis and goal setting

Create interventions to support students Target instructional strategies to specific

needs Frequently monitor the progress of the

students Evaluate and change interventions when

appropriate

Kilmer Middle In One Year SOL Performance Increases in English Performance

Overall from 85 to 93 percent Black from 75 to 81 percent Hispanic 54 to 82 percent Limited English Proficient from 52 to 78 percent Students with Disabilities from 47 to 72 percent

Increases in Math Performance Black from 75 to 88 percent Disadvantaged 71 to 81 percent Students with Disabilities from 67 to 76 percent

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