Professional Learning Communities by Design
Putting the Learning Back Into PLCs
Foreword by Shirley Hord
How to form a vibrant PLC that truly makes a difference for students
If you are looking for an organic approach to purpose-driven professional learning, this is the book for you. Award-winning educator Lois Brown Easton's latest work provides a compelling case study in narrative form, a chronological PLC planning outline, and first-hand "lessons learned" about how PLCs develop, mature, and sustain themselves. You will not receive a PLC "prescription," but you will find inspiration, wisdom, discussion questions, and a companion CD with:
- Professional learning designs for varied PLC contexts
- Helpful forms, templates, and rubrics
- Protocols for collecting, analyzing, and applying data
The text emphasizes that the central word in PLCs is learning. This focus on intentional learning lights the path for educators who wish to narrow achievement gaps and help all students succeed.
"Professional Learning Communities by Design is very user-friendly and clearly identifies the rationale, implementation, and ongoing processes for PLCs. The relevancy and practical guidelines will be appreciated by all practitioners. The link to Learning Forward is very evident and practitioners will appreciate the connections made."
"This book provides the practitioner with a step-by-step guide for establishing and benefitting from professional learning communities. The author has provided an extensive literature review and an excellent array of tools that can equip initial PLCs with an advanced starting point towards enhancing student learning."
"This book thoughtfully outlines a long-term journey toward developing true Professional Learning Communities. The refreshing approach personalizes the PLC process, and the charts and other information it provides are gold mines."
"This book outlines an excellent PLC model over a year, including how a school can begin and develop an implementation process for an effective and productive PLC that engages most of the faculty. The process involves input from students, parents, and community. The book includes many useful tools, handouts, and examples on the essential components, considerations, and pitfalls to anticipate during the PLC process."
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"The book approaches a topic that many people believe they already understand in a way that will correct misconceptions and build understanding smoothly. Demonstrating the building process chronologically and providing supporting protocols throughout links practical application with tools that can be utilized immediately."
Great book, however it did not suit the purposes of my class.
