Ch 1 and Ch 2

This week we read 2 chapters...

Chapter 1:   A Guide to Action for Professional Learning Communities at Work

Here's a brochure of a main ideas of Ch. 1: http://www.allthingsplc.info/pdf/links/brochure.pdf 

Chapter 2: A Clear and Compelling Purpose

I found a study guide and pulled some discussion questions that you might discuss in the comments below:

Question 4 would be a great exercise!

1. In a PLC, there is no ambiguity regarding the commitment to learning, and not 

just the learning of students. Adults in a learning community are continually 

learning. How does your school promote learning for the adults who work there?

2.  There is often a huge difference between the school we desire and our 

willingness to behave in ways essential to creating such a school. This issue is 

addressed in professional learning communities by developing collective 

commitments each staff member must honor if the school the staff has envisioned 

is to become a reality. What are some key commitments that would need to be 

made if your school were to function as a PLC? Why do you feel the authors 

emphasize these commitments should be stated as behaviors rather than beliefs?

3. Has your school involved staff in setting short-term goals that, if achieved, would 

move the school toward the agreed-upon vision? If your school accomplished 

every improvement goal, what would be the impact on student learning?

4.  Use the continuum provided in this chapter (pages 44–49) to reflect on the progress your 

school has made. Where would you place your school in each of the various categories?

What would need to be done to move along the continuum to the next level on the 

journey to becoming a high-performing professional learning community?

To think about on your own:

The authors make the case that developing a guiding coalition is a powerful 

strategy in the change process. Principal Dion would have benefited from working 

through issues with a small group of key staff and securing them as allies before 

engaging the entire faculty. Have you ever used a guiding coalition to get things 

done in your school? What was your experience? Who would be some of the key 

faculty to recruit for a guiding coalition in your school?

P.S. As we are going along, check out the resources associated with this book about 1st year PLC implementation: http://go.solution-tree.com/PLCbooks/Reproducibles_BPLC.html