Professional Learning Communities

Barbara D. Culp, M.A.Ed., Ed.D. has dedicated forty-three years of her life to education as an elementary and middle school teacher, a principal, and a clinical supervisor. She founded a tutorial service for public, private, charter and parochial schools, and offers workshops and training programs on classroom management and differentiated instruction.

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