Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), initiated in 2008 - 2009, will continue in 2011 - 2012. PLC time occurs the second Wednesday of each month (September through May, except April, which will be the last Wednesday) being a half day for students in the morning, and a half day for PLCs for staff in the afternoon. The premise of PLCs is that “adult learning precedes student learning.” Teachers and other staff members learn together so that we can assist students in their learning. The following corresponding statement and questions will guide our PLC work during the upcoming year: If we believe ALL students can learn, then:

• What do we want students to learn?
• How will we know they are learning?
• What are we going to do if they don’t learn?
• What do we do if students already know it?

If we apply these questions to everything we do, we will see increased academic growth. These guiding questions will be applied by our staff, students, parents, and Board of Education as our framework for action as we talk about teaching and learning every day, every hour.

The district believes that teacher learning and collective work that strives to answer these questions will raise the achievement scores and make sure all students are reaching their potential. During PLC early release days, teachers have been doing book studies, looking at student assignments, analyzing MAP data—all to improve teaching and learning. PLC time provides each school as a whole uninterrupted time to work together—an opportunity not present during the regular school day. During the early release time, teachers are becoming experts in finding solutions to make improvements in teaching and learning.

The PLC initiative is a critical support to improve teaching and learning to assist the district in maintaining full State accreditation. Teams of teachers will use the early release time to learn and collaborate on meeting the increasingly diverse learning needs of district students. Teachers will enhance their effectiveness as professionals so that students benefit.

The Grandview GC-4 staff is committed to maximizing the development of each and every student. The PLC initiative will support that desired result. The chart below provides a visual reference for each month’s early release day.

PLC Focus