Professional Learning Communities charts a streamlined process for creating a PLC. The highest mission of a professional learning community is academic achievement. During Dr. Culp’s forty-plus years in education, she gained firsthand experience about the best way to build and sustain educational communities. Inclusiveness, strong relationships, and accountability should be woven into the fabric of the group right from the beginning. This book lays out a blueprint for thoughtful actions that transform schools and their communities. Using ideas and techniques focused on six key areas, educators discover what needs to be taught, what needs to be retaught, and who needs to be taught. Their PLCs build solutions that place academic excellence within reach of every learner. Real experiences from schools across the nation, as well as Dr. Culp’s decades of experience, have been mined to generate actionable steps. Each chapter ends with a collection of charts, worksheets, checklists, and tips that can be implemented immediately. Professional Learning Communities is the concise go-to guide that maps your path to lasting results and true success.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Lay the Foundation Building Blocks Reflective Practices Focus on Learning Dialog Shared Responsibility Shared Values and Norms Common Practices Feedback Creating a PLC Collaboration and Trust Inclusiveness and Shared Responsibility Focus on Solutions Step by Step Set a Schedule Select a Facilitator Define the Environment Build Your Home Revitalize an Existing PLC People Come First Inform New Members Reach Out Celebrate Building Blocks for a Professional Learning Community An Accord to Open Every PLC Meeting Questionnaire for Every PLC Member Questionnaire for the Start of New Initiatives Stretches to Enhance Group Response Stretch 1: Build It Up Stretch 2: Break It Down Stretch 3: Bring It Together Stretch 4: Identify Benefits Stretch 5: Identify Challenges Stretch 6: Eliminate Obstacles Endnotes Chapter 2: Gather the Goals The Educational Forest Find the Microclimates Specify the Species How Does Your Forest Grow? Embrace Exotics Cultivate Individual Plots Forest Management Slings and Arrows (Goal Sheets) Sample Goal Sheets Blank Goal Sheets Goal Prompts Broad Goals Specific Goals Unique and Short-Term Goals Professional Learning Goals for Members Endnotes Chapter 3: Going Live Begin at the Beginning Planning for Success Develop the Program Teacher Portfolios Call on the Community Personalize Implementation Collegial Implementation Return to the Beginning Link the Connection Points Team Goals Essential Outcomes Milestone Achievements Comparison Points Resource List Lesson Plan Template Student Feedback Portfolio Tips Personalize the Plan Endnotes Chapter 4: Assess and Adapt How Many and How Often Assessing the Data A Supportive Approach Assessment Foundation Types of Assessments Building the Formative Assessment Avoid Assessment Bias Analyze and Assess Prompts for Data Collection Common Formative Assessments Summative Assessment Tips Assess the Assessment PLC Assessment for Schools PLC Assessment for Members Key Markers for Success Endnotes Chapter 5: Digital Expansion The Value of an Online Presence Initial Online Presence Expanding Your Online Presence Documents and Files Collective Efforts Adapt Digital Tools Digital Tools for the Classroom Instant Updates and Motivation Tips for Sharing Tips for Collaboration Tips for Collective Work Assessing Digital Tools Common Classroom Digital Tools Top Digital Tools for PLCs Endnotes Chapter 6: Sail on Course Information Indigestion Wilting Enthusiasm Dysfunctional Roles Why PLCs Fail Avoid a Major Crisis Climate Control Best Research Practices Recharge the PLC Team Trust Survey Exercises for Building Trust Storytelling hour Display case Disaster day box Share praise Photo board Course Adjustments District-wide Impact Endnotes Appendix A: Stepping Onto the PLC Highway Refresher 1: Lay the Foundation Refresher 2: Gather the Goals Refresher 3: Going Live Refresher 4: Assess and Adapt Refresher 5: Digital Expansion Refresher 6: Sail on Course About the Author