Professional Learning Communities help educators boost achievement
In Malcom Gladwell’s New York Times Best Seller The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, he discusses the idea that major changes can come about through the continuing efforts of a few when they eventually affect enough people to form a critical mass. In public education across Riverside County, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have clearly reached the “tipping point” and the results are very impressive.
Simply put, PLCs are a group of individuals working collaboratively to do everything they can to achieve optimal results. In this case the individuals collaborating are school teachers, site administrators and district office leadership. The optimal results are the academic success of students—all students.
Schools and districts across Riverside County have seen significant increases in their student academic achievement scores on the California Standards Tests, with accompanying increases in state Academic Performance Index and No Child Left Behind scores as a result of PLC implementation. Many have been recognized by the California Distinguished School Awards program for their success, and others have been acknowledged through RCOE’s Models of Excellence program and the Title I Blue Ribbon Schools program. The laser-like focus on student learning in Professional Learning Communities across Riverside County signals a brighter future for the students we serve.
PLCs are grounded in three big ideas: (1) a focus on learning, (2) a commitment to working collaboratively, and (3) a focus on student results. The focus on learning is founded on a belief that all children can learn at high levels and will do whatever it takes to ensure that they do. The commitment to working collaboratively emerges from the recognition that it takes a team of educators working together toward common academic goals to be successful in meeting the needs of all students. Finally, a focus on results means that educators use student performance data to evaluate their own effectiveness and drive teacher instruction. In schools that function as PLCs, all adults assume responsibility for the learning of all students. The ultimate goal is to change the school culture so that no student can possibly fail.
The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) works with schools and districts to develop their ability to function as PLCs through a wide variety of professional development opportunities. For the past nine years, RCOE has partnered with Rick and Becky DuFour, national leaders in the PLC concept, bringing them to Riverside County for two-day workshops at least annually. In 14 events, more than 8,400 educators have had the privilege of learning first-hand what a PLC is, why it is important, and how it functions. RCOE has then followed up with customized, on-site support at both the school and district levels to assist with PLC implementation. In addition, programs such as School Leadership Teams and the Good to Great Academy, sponsored by RCOE’s Educational Leadership Services Division have provided ongoing venues for principals and their leadership teams to refine their PLC journeys.
