Professional Learning Communities: A Model for Ontario Schools

PLCs are a catalyst for improving instruction. (p. 3)


The six components of a professional learning community:

1. Ensuring learning for all - learning (not teaching) becomes the focal point, and a positive outcome results.(p.2)
2. Focus on Results - student attainment of knowledge and skills must be consistently considered and reviewed.(p.2)
3. Relationships - With deep respect infused in a PLC, conflict can be dealt with through professional, open, and non-judgmental dialogue. (p.3)
4. Collaborative Inquiry - PLC should set aside time to share practices, examine student work, and plan.(p.3)
5. Leadership - Principals should spend their energies on supporting environments focused on teaching and learning. (p.3)
6. Alignment - It is important for staff to accept the responsibility of the success of all students, not only the students in their class or grade. (p.4)

 Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. October 2007. Professional Learning Communities: A Model for Ontario Schools. Secretariat special edition #3. Retrieved from: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/PLC.pdf

Comments

  1. Unknown19 July 2017 at 10:59

    If the teachers see themselves as life long learners then the PLC process will be more successful. The second point reminds me that we need to use data and ask ourselves what is working and what isn't. Relationships are important!!! If you have a close staff where people enjoy working together and you have supportive leadership (#5) then you will have a positive, meaningful experience. I think its also important that you are given time to work on it together, either on p.d days or aligned prep times so people don't feel they have an extra work load.

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