Demystifying Professional Learning Communities

School Leadership at Its Best

Kristine Kiefer Hipp, Jane Bumpers Huffman

• Publisher: R&L Education
• Year: 2010
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781607090519
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Professional Development

The purpose of this book is to clearly define an approach to school improvement that uses professional learning community (PLC) practices to achieve school improvement and success for every student. This book offers information, examples and case studies to clarify the concept of a PLC, to respond to critical issues in schools, and to support educational leaders in addressing the important mandates of accountability and school improvement. As school leaders proactively lead efforts to create learning communities, their schools, districts, and staff will incorporate knowledge, skills, and practices that focus on teaching and learning for all. The authors' findings will assist leaders, change agents, policy makers, and university faculty in guiding schools toward creating and maintaining PLCs as they sustain school improvement for student learning.

Table of contents

• Acknowledgments
• Foreword
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Demystifying the Concept of Professional Learning Communities
• 3 Methodology and Conceptual Framework
• 4 Assessing and Analyzing Schools as Professional Learning Communities
• 5 Diagnostic and Planning Tools
• 6 The Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle: A Strategy for Creating Professional Learning Communities
• 7 Case Story Overview
• 8 Case Story #1: Lake Elementary (PreK–8)
• 9 Case Story #2: Mineral Springs Middle School (6–8)
• 10 Case Story #3: Ralph H. Metcalfe School (K4–8)
• 11 Sustainability: A Constant Process for Continuing Improvement
• 12 Final Reflections: Moving Schools Forward
• Notes
• References
• About the Contributors
• About the Editors