Professional Learning Communities

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Recommended: Factors influencing the development of professional learning communities

2. Developing Professional Learning Communities
Extensive research has been done on the topic of professional learning communities also known as PLC’s. It is a concept that has also recently received considerable attention. PLC’s have joined teacher leadership and empowerment as another key initiative for many schools and districts. Yet another hot topic or buzz word that is popular, but few seem to really understand. Richard DuFour (2004) commented, “The idea of improving schools by developing professional learning communities is currently in vogue. People use the term to describe every imaginable combination of individuals with an interest in education-a grade level teaching team, a school committee, a high school department, an entire school …show more content…

He stressed, “The rise or fall of the professional learning community concept depends not on the merits of the concept itself; but on the most important element in the improvement of any school-the commitment and persistence of the educators within it.” (DuFour, 2004) Linda Darling-Hammond shed light on what it is needed in order to support the success of professional learning communities within schools. She feels very strongly that time is a major issue that inhibits the effective implementation of PLC’s. Darling-Hammond suggests, “In order for such teaching communities to exist, schools need to allocate time to teachers during the work week to collaborate, whether in grade-level or department-level teams or a combination of both.” (Collier, 2011) She also emphasized the need for an “open-door policy where there are people in and out of each other’s classroom.” (Collier, 2011) Teachers should have opportunities to share information and work samples and observe each other engaging in instruction. According to Linda Darling-Hammond, “Schools that are able to provide the time for teachers so that they can collaborate with peers and develop communities can look forward to a variety of benefits” (Collier, 2004) She stated the following as benefits to this

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