The PLC Book

Nancy Fichtman Dana - University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
Diane Yendol-Hoppey - University of North Florida, USA
The PLC Book
October 2015 | 128 pages | Corwin
Create Flyer

Purchase

eBook
ISBN: 9781506300702
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781483382654
Available from January 0001

Description

The secret to your PLC’s success? You.

Commitment to improving student outcomes is a natural part of being a teacher. So when you bring your experience, skills, and questions to a professional learning community, you help shape the future of the team—and that makes all the difference for your students.

Unlike other PLC resources, this book isn’t just for leaders—it’s designed to help every member of the team be a driving force for success. With it, you’ll work together to

  • Give voice to important issues and dilemmas
  • Decide where to focus your work
  • Develop and implement a plan for gaining insight into your area of focus
  • Take action based on individual and collective learning
  • Share results with others outside the PLC

Successful PLCs buzz with a collaborative energy that comes from the engagement of teachers. With this guide, you’ll make the most of your contributions.

The PLC Book is an essential resource for all principals and teachers who wish to create a powerful culture of adult and student learning in their schools. . . . A must-read for all who are currently engaging in or wish to begin Professional Learning Communities in their schools.”
- Todd Whitaker, Professor
Indiana State University

 “The PLC Book is destined to be an essential text in the fields of teacher education, teacher professional development, school administration and a handbook for teachers and others engaged in the pursuit of systemic educational change.”
- Frances Rust, Senior Fellow & Director of Teacher Education Program
University of Pennsylvania 

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

  • 1. PLC Defined
  • What Is A PLC?
  • Do PLCs Really Work?
  • How Do PLCs Work?
  • Why Is This Book Called The PLC Book?
  • 2. Getting Started
  • What Getting Started Is and Why It’s Important
  • How to Get Started
  • What Does Getting Started Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 3. Establishing A PLC’s Direction
  • What Establishing A PLC Direction Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Establish A Direction For Your PLC
  • What Does Establishing A Direction For Your PLC Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 4. Developing A PLC Action Learning Plan
  • What A PLC Action Learning Plan Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Develop A PLC Action Learning Plan
  • What Might Developing An Action Learning Plan Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 5. Analyzing Data In Your PLC
  • What Data Analysis Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Analyze Data
  • What Might Analyzing Data Look Like?
  • Questions for Discussion
  • 6. Making PLC Learning Public
  • What Making PLC Learning Public Is and Why It’s Important
  • How to Make PLC Learning Public
  • What Might Sharing the Work of Your PLC Look Like?
  • Questions for Discussion
  • 7. Essential Elements of Healthy PLCs
  • Establish a Vision
  • Build Trust
  • Understand and Embrace Collaboration
  • Encourage, Recognize and Appreciate Diversity Within the Group
  • Promote the Development of Critical Friends
  • Pay Attention to the Work “In-Between”
  • Hold the Group Accountable for and Document Their Learning
  • Have a Comprehensive View of What Constitutes Data
  • Understand Change and Acknowledge The Discomfort It May Bring
  • Work With Building Administrators

References

References

Additional materials

Description

The secret to your PLC’s success? You.

Commitment to improving student outcomes is a natural part of being a teacher. So when you bring your experience, skills, and questions to a professional learning community, you help shape the future of the team—and that makes all the difference for your students.

Unlike other PLC resources, this book isn’t just for leaders—it’s designed to help every member of the team be a driving force for success. With it, you’ll work together to

  • Give voice to important issues and dilemmas
  • Decide where to focus your work
  • Develop and implement a plan for gaining insight into your area of focus
  • Take action based on individual and collective learning
  • Share results with others outside the PLC

Successful PLCs buzz with a collaborative energy that comes from the engagement of teachers. With this guide, you’ll make the most of your contributions.

The PLC Book is an essential resource for all principals and teachers who wish to create a powerful culture of adult and student learning in their schools. . . . A must-read for all who are currently engaging in or wish to begin Professional Learning Communities in their schools.”
- Todd Whitaker, Professor
Indiana State University

 “The PLC Book is destined to be an essential text in the fields of teacher education, teacher professional development, school administration and a handbook for teachers and others engaged in the pursuit of systemic educational change.”
- Frances Rust, Senior Fellow & Director of Teacher Education Program
University of Pennsylvania 

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

  • 1. PLC Defined
  • What Is A PLC?
  • Do PLCs Really Work?
  • How Do PLCs Work?
  • Why Is This Book Called The PLC Book?
  • 2. Getting Started
  • What Getting Started Is and Why It’s Important
  • How to Get Started
  • What Does Getting Started Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 3. Establishing A PLC’s Direction
  • What Establishing A PLC Direction Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Establish A Direction For Your PLC
  • What Does Establishing A Direction For Your PLC Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 4. Developing A PLC Action Learning Plan
  • What A PLC Action Learning Plan Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Develop A PLC Action Learning Plan
  • What Might Developing An Action Learning Plan Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 5. Analyzing Data In Your PLC
  • What Data Analysis Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Analyze Data
  • What Might Analyzing Data Look Like?
  • Questions for Discussion
  • 6. Making PLC Learning Public
  • What Making PLC Learning Public Is and Why It’s Important
  • How to Make PLC Learning Public
  • What Might Sharing the Work of Your PLC Look Like?
  • Questions for Discussion
  • 7. Essential Elements of Healthy PLCs
  • Establish a Vision
  • Build Trust
  • Understand and Embrace Collaboration
  • Encourage, Recognize and Appreciate Diversity Within the Group
  • Promote the Development of Critical Friends
  • Pay Attention to the Work “In-Between”
  • Hold the Group Accountable for and Document Their Learning
  • Have a Comprehensive View of What Constitutes Data
  • Understand Change and Acknowledge The Discomfort It May Bring
  • Work With Building Administrators

References

References

Additional materials

October 2015 | 128 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781483382654 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781506300702 $35.00

The secret to your PLC’s success? You.

Commitment to improving student outcomes is a natural part of being a teacher. So when you bring your experience, skills, and questions to a professional learning community, you help shape the future of the team—and that makes all the difference for your students.

Unlike other PLC resources, this book isn’t just for leaders—it’s designed to help every member of the team be a driving force for success. With it, you’ll work together to

  • Give voice to important issues and dilemmas
  • Decide where to focus your work
  • Develop and implement a plan for gaining insight into your area of focus
  • Take action based on individual and collective learning
  • Share results with others outside the PLC

Successful PLCs buzz with a collaborative energy that comes from the engagement of teachers. With this guide, you’ll make the most of your contributions.

The PLC Book is an essential resource for all principals and teachers who wish to create a powerful culture of adult and student learning in their schools. . . . A must-read for all who are currently engaging in or wish to begin Professional Learning Communities in their schools.”
- Todd Whitaker, Professor
Indiana State University

 “The PLC Book is destined to be an essential text in the fields of teacher education, teacher professional development, school administration and a handbook for teachers and others engaged in the pursuit of systemic educational change.”
- Frances Rust, Senior Fellow & Director of Teacher Education Program
University of Pennsylvania 

Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • Acknowledgements
  • About the Authors
  • 1. PLC Defined
  • What Is A PLC?
  • Do PLCs Really Work?
  • How Do PLCs Work?
  • Why Is This Book Called The PLC Book?
  • 2. Getting Started
  • What Getting Started Is and Why It’s Important
  • How to Get Started
  • What Does Getting Started Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 3. Establishing A PLC’s Direction
  • What Establishing A PLC Direction Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Establish A Direction For Your PLC
  • What Does Establishing A Direction For Your PLC Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 4. Developing A PLC Action Learning Plan
  • What A PLC Action Learning Plan Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Develop A PLC Action Learning Plan
  • What Might Developing An Action Learning Plan Look Like?
  • Questions For Discussion
  • 5. Analyzing Data In Your PLC
  • What Data Analysis Is and Why It’s Important
  • How To Analyze Data
  • What Might Analyzing Data Look Like?
  • Questions for Discussion
  • 6. Making PLC Learning Public
  • What Making PLC Learning Public Is and Why It’s Important
  • How to Make PLC Learning Public
  • What Might Sharing the Work of Your PLC Look Like?
  • Questions for Discussion
  • 7. Essential Elements of Healthy PLCs
  • Establish a Vision
  • Build Trust
  • Understand and Embrace Collaboration
  • Encourage, Recognize and Appreciate Diversity Within the Group
  • Promote the Development of Critical Friends
  • Pay Attention to the Work “In-Between”
  • Hold the Group Accountable for and Document Their Learning
  • Have a Comprehensive View of What Constitutes Data
  • Understand Change and Acknowledge The Discomfort It May Bring
  • Work With Building Administrators
  • References

Recent Product Reviews:

“The PLC Book is an essential resource for all principals and teachers who wish to create a powerful culture of adult and student learning in their schools. Dana and Yendol-Hoppey created a practical go-to guide designed to help all educators understand and enact an exciting program of professional learning. A must-read for all who are currently engaging in or wish to begin Professional Learning Communities in their schools.”
Todd Whitaker, Indiana State University
“The PLC Book is destined to be an essential text in the fields of teacher education, teacher professional development, school administration and a handbook for teachers and others engaged in the pursuit of systemic educational change.”
Frances Rust, Senior Fellow & Director of Teacher Education Program, University of Pennsylvania
“The PLC Book is a must-read for anyone wishing to establish a PLC in their school, from the leader looking for a whole-school approach, to the classroom practitioner seeking to connect with a group of educators.”
Liane Pitcher-Leigh, Evidence-Based Teaching Lead, Dene Magna School
“The PLC Book is as essential as The Reflective Educator’s Guide to Professional Learning Communities! Their careful guidance and realistic examples support the work of teachers to genuinely learn together based on inquiry, shared common goals and reflective practices.”
Donnan Stoicovy, Elementary Principal/Lead Learner, Park Forest Elementary School
“The PLC Book creates a powerful and memorable connection between the idea of Professional Learning Communities and the actuality of creating and sustaining them.”
Teri Schrader, The School Reform Initiative, Watkinson School

Recommendations