PLC Powerpoint presentation for CSE 627 class.

1. A Case for PLC’s
Why change is sometimes good!

2. What is a PLC?
A PLC is a Professional Learning Community.
In simple terms it means the entire school building is
working together to make sure all students are working
to their fullest potential.
It requires a lot of team work and the ability to be
transparent in all you do.

3. How does it work?
Develop Teams
Define Norms and Expectations
Align teaching to Oregon State Standards
Develop Common Assessments
Track Data
Review and Revise

4. Who has time for that?

5. Early Release/Late Start
My school went to an early release schedule
14 times a year, the kids get released 2 hours early
During the two hours we meet as teams to design
assessments, review data and plan for upcoming units.

6. Is that really enough time?
 No it isn’t.
 We also meet once per month
in kid focused meetings to
look at individual students.

7. What do you really think?
Pros
 Aligns teaching with
standards.
 Kids in different classrooms
get same materials.
 Team work allows for shared
ideas and feedback
 Common assessment help
determine student learning.
Cons
 More meetings than ever.
 Never enough time to get it
all in.
 Not everyone is on board yet.
 Takes a shift in mindset from
“my” kids to “our” kids.

8. What resources exist?
Great conferences and professional development.
Technology, technology, technology. We use it in our
team all the time. Team Blogs, Google Docs, Wikis.
Books, podcasts and You Tube videos.

9. What about the kids?
 Struggling students are now
identified quickly
 Students know what learning
targets are for each unit.
 Frequent data analysis allows
for students to move between
enrichment when doing well to
interventions when struggling.
 Students identify classrooms as
doing “the same thing”. Less
teacher competition.

10. Final Thoughts…….
A PLC offers more of a team approach to each student.
There is no longer a “close your door and teach”
approach in my building. I love that.
We always talk about students needing to become
problem solvers and being able to work effectively in
teams. This model is one in which we ourselves practice
what we preach.