The document discusses implementing a professional learning community (PLC) model at the Overbrook Educational Center. It notes that currently teachers meet weekly to discuss policies but not student work. It states that a PLC would benefit the school by providing time for teachers to collaborate on student achievement and instructional practices. It outlines a 3 step plan to create an instructional leadership team, communicate the PLC plans to staff, and coordinate regular collaboration meetings for teachers to analyze student work.

1. PROFESSIONAL
LEARNING
COMMUNITIES
James Clark
January 27, 2018

2. CURRENT PLC’S AT OEC
 Currently, the Overbrook Educational Center, which is
located in the School District of Philadelphia, does not
implement the PLC model. Rather, each week, teachers
convene to discuss school policies and regulations,
attendance, and behavior. Unfortunately, teachers do
not discuss or review student work.

3. BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL
LEARNING COMMUNITIES AT OEC
 The PLC model would benefit Overbrook Educational Center in the
following ways:
 Provide teachers with time to collaborate and reflect on student
achievement
 Provide teachers with time to reflect on and refine their instructional
practice
 Provides a shared vision of increasing student achievement

4. CURRENT STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES
 Strengths
 There is a wealth of knowledge, which means successful PLC teams
could be created
 Teachers are willing to collaborate, reflect, and share best practices
 Weaknesses
 Professional Learning Communities should be implemented school-wide
 Teachers should be empowered to share best practices and reflect on
student achievement

5. STEP 1: CREATE AN
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
 Develop an Instructional Leadership Team that would discuss the
implementation of Professional Learning Communities.
 The Instructional Leadership Team would consist of the following
people:
 Principal
 Reading Specialist
 Math Specialist
 Counselor
 1 Elementary Teacher (Grades K-4)
 1 Middle School Teacher (Grades 5-8)

6. STEP 2: COMMUNICATE TO STAFF
 After discussing the implementation of Professional Learning
Communities, the Instructional Leadership Team will do the
following:
 Communicate to staff about the how and why of PLC’s
 Discuss how PLC’s will be implemented at OEC
 Discuss the goals of Professional Learning Communities

7. STEP 3: TIME FOR COLLABORATION
 The Instructional Leadership Team will coordinate with each grade
level band (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) to discuss a meeting time
 The Principal, Reading Specialist, and Math Specialist will be
present at each PLC meeting,
 Teachers will be required to analyze student work during each
meeting.

8. REFERENCES
 Schmoker, M. (2006). Results now: How we can achieve
unprecedented improvements in teaching and learning. Alexandria,
VA: ASCD.
 Jaquith, A. (2013, October). Instructional capacity: How to build it
right. Educational Leadership, 71. Retrieved
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