PLC+ The Texas Way

Transforming Teacher Teams to Accelerate Student Learning
Douglas Fisher - San Diego State University, USA
Nancy Frey - San Diego State University, USA
John Almarode - James Madison University, USA
Kierstan Barbee
Brenda Martinez
PLC+ The Texas Way
April 2026 | 296 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9798348864156
Available from January 0001
Spiral
ISBN: 9798348862497
Available from January 0001

Description

Transform your PLC collaboration to strengthen student learning across classrooms

Professional Learning Communities hold tremendous potential, but without clear structure and shared purpose, that potential often goes untapped. PLC+ The Texas Way offers Texas educators an evidence-based framework for moving beyond isolated classroom practice toward collaborative inquiry and evidence-based teaching that accelerates learning for every student.

Written specifically for Texas schools, this guide shifts PLC work from prep and planning to creating shared understanding of TEKS and HQIM, making intentional instructional decisions that support learners and responding to student needs. Anchored in the five essential questions—Where are we now? Where are we going? How do we move learning forward? What did we learn today? Who benefited and who did not?—PLC+ provides the clarity and direction teacher teams need to translate state standards and quality materials into meaningful student growth.

Inside, you'll find:

  • Direct connections to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) 
  • Spotlight cases featuring small and rural schools that demonstrate how PLC+ works in diverse Texas contexts
  • Ready-to-use tools and protocols that support teams in making sense of the five essential questions and taking immediate action

PLC+ The Texas Way helps educators build cultures of collective responsibility, shared efficacy, and trust-based teamwork. When teachers collaborate with purpose, students thrive—and that's what matters most.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Texas PLC+ Advisory Board

Texas PLC+ Advisory Board

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

INTRODUCTION: A Look Back: A Road Map for Moving Forward in PLCs

INTRODUCTION: A Look Back: A Road Map for Moving Forward in PLCs

PART I: THRIVING TOGETHER WITH PLC+

  • QUESTION 1: Where Are We Now?
  • QUESTION 2: Where Are We Going?
  • QUESTION 3: How Do We Move Learning Forward?
  • QUESTION 4: What Did We Learn Today?
  • QUESTION 5: Who Benefited, and Who Did Not?

PART II: PLC+ TOOLS AND PROTOCOLS

  • Getting Started
  • Where Are We Now?
  • Where Are We Going?
  • How Do We Move Learning Forward?
  • What Did We Learn Today?
  • Who Benefited, and Who Did Not?
  • Endnotes
  • Index

Resources

Description

Transform your PLC collaboration to strengthen student learning across classrooms

Professional Learning Communities hold tremendous potential, but without clear structure and shared purpose, that potential often goes untapped. PLC+ The Texas Way offers Texas educators an evidence-based framework for moving beyond isolated classroom practice toward collaborative inquiry and evidence-based teaching that accelerates learning for every student.

Written specifically for Texas schools, this guide shifts PLC work from prep and planning to creating shared understanding of TEKS and HQIM, making intentional instructional decisions that support learners and responding to student needs. Anchored in the five essential questions—Where are we now? Where are we going? How do we move learning forward? What did we learn today? Who benefited and who did not?—PLC+ provides the clarity and direction teacher teams need to translate state standards and quality materials into meaningful student growth.

Inside, you'll find:

  • Direct connections to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) 
  • Spotlight cases featuring small and rural schools that demonstrate how PLC+ works in diverse Texas contexts
  • Ready-to-use tools and protocols that support teams in making sense of the five essential questions and taking immediate action

PLC+ The Texas Way helps educators build cultures of collective responsibility, shared efficacy, and trust-based teamwork. When teachers collaborate with purpose, students thrive—and that's what matters most.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Texas PLC+ Advisory Board

Texas PLC+ Advisory Board

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

INTRODUCTION: A Look Back: A Road Map for Moving Forward in PLCs

INTRODUCTION: A Look Back: A Road Map for Moving Forward in PLCs

PART I: THRIVING TOGETHER WITH PLC+

  • QUESTION 1: Where Are We Now?
  • QUESTION 2: Where Are We Going?
  • QUESTION 3: How Do We Move Learning Forward?
  • QUESTION 4: What Did We Learn Today?
  • QUESTION 5: Who Benefited, and Who Did Not?

PART II: PLC+ TOOLS AND PROTOCOLS

  • Getting Started
  • Where Are We Now?
  • Where Are We Going?
  • How Do We Move Learning Forward?
  • What Did We Learn Today?
  • Who Benefited, and Who Did Not?
  • Endnotes
  • Index

Resources

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PLC+ The Texas Way

Transforming Teacher Teams to Accelerate Student Learning

Douglas Fisher , Nancy Frey , John Almarode , Kierstan Barbee , Brenda Martinez
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April 2026 | 296 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Spiral 29/01/2026 9798348862497 $44.95
Paperback 26/05/2026 9798348871017 $44.95
Lifetime 04/03/2026 9798348864156 $40.00

Transform your PLC collaboration to strengthen student learning across classrooms

Professional Learning Communities hold tremendous potential, but without clear structure and shared purpose, that potential often goes untapped. PLC+ The Texas Way offers Texas educators an evidence-based framework for moving beyond isolated classroom practice toward collaborative inquiry and evidence-based teaching that accelerates learning for every student.

Written specifically for Texas schools, this guide shifts PLC work from prep and planning to creating shared understanding of TEKS and HQIM, making intentional instructional decisions that support learners and responding to student needs. Anchored in the five essential questions—Where are we now? Where are we going? How do we move learning forward? What did we learn today? Who benefited and who did not?—PLC+ provides the clarity and direction teacher teams need to translate state standards and quality materials into meaningful student growth.

Inside, you'll find:

  • Direct connections to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) 
  • Spotlight cases featuring small and rural schools that demonstrate how PLC+ works in diverse Texas contexts
  • Ready-to-use tools and protocols that support teams in making sense of the five essential questions and taking immediate action

PLC+ The Texas Way helps educators build cultures of collective responsibility, shared efficacy, and trust-based teamwork. When teachers collaborate with purpose, students thrive—and that's what matters most.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • Texas PLC+ Advisory Board
  • Publisher’s Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • INTRODUCTION: A Look Back: A Road Map for Moving Forward in PLCs
  • PART I: THRIVING TOGETHER WITH PLC+
  • QUESTION 1: Where Are We Now?
  • QUESTION 2: Where Are We Going?
  • QUESTION 3: How Do We Move Learning Forward?
  • QUESTION 4: What Did We Learn Today?
  • QUESTION 5: Who Benefited, and Who Did Not?
  • PART II: PLC+ TOOLS AND PROTOCOLS
  • Getting Started
  • Where Are We Now?
  • Where Are We Going?
  • How Do We Move Learning Forward?
  • What Did We Learn Today?
  • Who Benefited, and Who Did Not?
  • Endnotes
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

PLC+ The Texas Way is the perfect tool for every team of teachers who is working to elevate the efficacy of their PLC team! This books recognizes the challenges PLC teams face and provides tools that will support educators as they strive to maximize their impact on student learning. This text is a must read for teams in education and is an indispensable tool for teams looking to have reflective conversations that will drive their students’ learning forward. I highly recommend this text to any team of educators who want to elevate their teaching and reflective practices. By providing educators with the necessary tools and practices, this book is keeping PLCs focused on the important things-on every student’s growth!
Anna Moss, US History Teacher, Richland High School
Schools using HQIM will find PLC+ The Texas Way relevant and useful in utilizing strong curriculum and instructional strategies for their students. The research and strategies here will guide teachers and administrators in improving teaching and raising student performance.
Dr. Edmond Martinez, Principal
Reading this book provided a clear refresher on why the PLC process is so important and how it can impact the growth of teacher instructional practices in the ongoing learning process. This book offers a clear and practical guide to understanding and implementing the PLC process, with thoughtful guiding questions, accessible vocabulary explanations, and highly useful tools such as teacher checklists and Look/Listen For tables. The strong organizational structure and consistent acknowledgement of collaboration—especially the powerful “Collective Effervescence” section—make it both inspiring and actionable for educators and leaders. With more intentional targeting for newer teachers who may need additional clarity around foundational expectations and terminology, this book has the potential to be an essential resource for strengthening instructional practice through PLCs.
Kennetha Moore, District Wide Instructional Coach
[PLC+ The Texas Way] offers a clear, practical lens for strengthening high-performing teams by making learning visible, not just teaching. It challenges educators to reflect honestly on their practices while providing language that supports meaningful, student-centered conversations. A valuable resource for teams committed to improving instructional impact.
Yamila Musa-Vega, Reading Intervention Teacher
PLC+ The Texas Way bridges theory and practice in a way that feels both accessible and immediately actionable across all grade levels and contents. By combining detailed protocols with a flexible, context-responsive structure, it equips teachers and leaders with tools to build powerful PLCs that are responsive, dynamic, and rooted in collective ownership of student learning.
Colin Davis, Director of High School Curriculum & Instruction

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