Characteristics of professional learning communities and communities of practice in the following section, three models of professional learning commutes plcs and three models of communities of practice cops are briefly introduced in order to provide the reader with a basic understanding that will lead into the later discussion in this paper. Best practices for enhancing student achievement offers the reader informed and informative information on how to transform any private. Professional learning communities still work if done right. Richard dufour, rebecca dufour, robert eaker, thomas w.
The plc protocol is the vehicle for creating a high performing learning organization. Raising the bar and closing the gap is a sequel to whatever it takes. Learning by doing has been our guidebook on the journey and helped us to understand and move from knowing to doing and finally being a professional learning community. A handbook for professional learning communities at work helps educators close the knowingdoing gap as they transform their schools into professional learning communities plcs. Professional learning communities impact student success. Mar, 2012 throughout the school year, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools will dismiss early for professional learning community time. Professional learning communities, or plcs, are school. Beyond student learning, teacher professional learning through collaboration is a key characteristic in each researchers list of characteristics, although with details being made more explicit in some models. What do professional learning communities look like and how do they function. Learning by doing provides comprehensive guidance that can help educators overcome the challenges they may face as they turn their.
Plcs operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for. I encourage you, read this book and answer the call to action. Revisiting professional learning communities at work in our first book, professional learning communities at work. The school leaders guide to professional learning communities at work tm. Like the first edition, the second edition of learning by doing. Learning by doing a handbook for professional learning communities at work by. In whatever it takes, the authors addressed the question of what happens when students dont learn. Rentfro the professional learning community plc model gives schools a framework to build. Why are such learning communities important for both staff and students. Attard, 2012 or professional learning communities dufour. Rebecca becky dufour, med, served as a teacher, school administrator, and central office coordinator.
By richard dufour the term professional learning community is used to describe every imaginable combination of individuals with an interest in education. Learn researchbased recommendations for implementing plc at work concepts. The reader should be aware that the literature selected for. Books about professional learning communities reclaiming our teaching profession 2011 by shirley m.
Professional learning communities and communities of practice. The 3 big ideas of professional learning communities plc. Professional learning communities plcs shift the focus of school reform from restructuring to reculturing dufour, 2006. Richard dufour, edd, in a distinguished career spanning four decades, was a publicschool educator, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. A handbook for professional communities at work a practical guide for plc teams and leadership, a book by richard dufour, rebecca dufour, robert eaker, thomas many professional learning communities professional development global mindset learning organization instructional coaching instructional strategies educational. A professional learning community plc is educators committed to working. Related resources building trust in collaborative learning communities coteaching tips better book study groups. New insights into professional learning communities at work chapter outline in response to decades of disappointing school reform efforts, dufour and eaker 1998 offered professional learning communities plc as a new model for school change.
Rebecca dufour, med, served as a teacher, school administrator, and central office coordinator. He is leading authority solution trees professional learning communities at work model. I was an early career teacher focused on what i needed to do in the classroom, and dufour opened my world to the work we needed to. For example, dufour s 2004 model additionally emphasises action research and also collective professional learning as a key. A handbook for professional learning communities at work, third edition a practical guide to action for plc teams and leadership richard dufour. Richard dufour, robert eaker this classic resource offers practical information about transforming schools into learningfocused, resultsoriented plcs. How are learning communities introduced and developed in schools as a new organizational arrangement. Dufour 20 professional learning communities provide the structure for leaders and teachers to intentionally focus on student assessment data.
Finding common ground in education reform professional learning community advocates a presentation of the research. In fact, the term has been used so universally that it is in danger of losing all meaning. Utilize three corollary questions to guide their work as a plc. Cormier, ron and olivier, dianne, for the annual meeting of the louisiana education research association. The very essence of a learning community is a focus on and a commitment to the learning of each student. The elements of a professional learning community professional learning communities will change how you and your staff view learning. Revisiting professional learning communities at work. Learning forward standards for professional learning. Eric ed426472 professional learning communities at work.
The most extensive, practical, and authoritative plc resource to date, it. Once educators have identified exactly what a student understands and where the gaps in understanding are, they can intentionally plan how to address the gaps and accelerate learning. It was in the late 1990s that i saw richard dufour speak. Professional learning communities at work plan book. A handbook for professional learning communities at work second edition by richard dufour, rebecca dufour, robert eaker, thomas many 2010 the second edition of learning by doing. This paper will discuss the emergence of professional learning communities in the us and the uk and then consider in detail three teacher professional learning models. Best practices for enhancing student achievement offers the reader informed and informative information on how to transform any private or.
The book that launched a school improvement movement offers researchbased recommendations drawn from the best. Jessie the research is replete with cries for principals to become instructional leaders in their buildings. A guide to action for professional learning communities at work. Their work is selfdirected and reflects the professional opinions of all members of the community about the unique challenges they face, individually and collectively. Revisiting professional learning communities at work by. The most extensive, practical, and authoritative plc resource to date, it goes further. Help educators develop a common vocabulary and consistent understanding of key plc concepts. Identify the key attributes of professional learning communities.
Collectively pursue a shared mission, vision, values, and goals. Hord and ed tobia drawing from a wealth of research and experience, this book shows educators how to use the transformative power of professional learning in community to raise the professional stature of educators. As a former elementary principal, she helped her school earn state and national recognition as a model professional learning community at work and as a national blue ribbon school. Best practices for professional learning communities. With help from our plc at work experts, you will create a comprehensive learning infrastructure to address priorities and build collective capacity for continuous improvement. A prolific author and consultant, he was recognized as one of the leading authorities on helping school practitioners implement the professional learning communities at work process in their schools and districts. To create a professional learning community, focus on learning rather than teaching, work collaboratively, and hold yourself accountable for results. Professional learning communities and communities of. The collaborative work of richard dufour superintendent of adlai stevenson high school district 125, lincolnshire, illinois and robert eaker dean of the college of education, middle tennessee state university, professional learning communities at work. Understand how learning communities can impact school improvement. A handbook for professional learning communities at work third edition by richard dufour, rebecca dufour, robert eaker, thomas w. This study guide is a companion to the book learning by doing.
A handbook for professional learning communities at work, 2016 six characteristics of plcs at work. Emerging models for continuing professional development of teachers engage teachers in a collaborative learning through professional learning communities plc as a way to spur their professional. The school leaders guide to professional learning communities at work tm essentials for principals. A handbook for professional learning communities at work, third edition a practical guide to action for plc teams and leadership edition 3 by richard dufour, rebecca dufour richard dufour. In 2004, dufour stated that initiating and sustaining a plc requires the school staff to focus on learning rather than teaching, work collaboratively on matters related to learning, and hold itself accountable for the kind of results that fuel continual improvement. With help from our plc at work experts, you will create a comprehensive learning infrastructure to address priorities and build collective capacity for. Richard dufour he idea of improving schools by developing professional learning communities is currently in vogue. Understanding the basics of a professional learning community. Throughout the school year, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools will dismiss early for professional learning community time. Professional learning communities impact student success this school uses a professional learning community to target students needs. Professional learning communities free education essay. Eaker, robert this book offers recommendations for those who seek to transform their school into a professional learning community as characterized by an environment fostering mutual cooperation, emotional support, personal growth, and. Hord and ed tobia drawing from a wealth of research and experience, this book shows educators how to use the transformative power of professional learning in. Reference youtube video featuring richard dufour to hear a quick explanation of what professional learning communities involve and how they are beneficial to the educator community.