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The PLC Book
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The PLC Book


November 2015 | 128 pages | Corwin

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 

 
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

“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

“The PLC Book will be a go-to resource for teachers, from those looking to begin PLCs for the first time to experienced PLCs looking to refine their collaborative work and get more focused on what makes a difference for student learning.”

Jennie Beltramini, K-8 Math Instructional Coach

“Dana and Yendol-Hoppey have blazed a path of professional development that few have been brave enough to tackle. They understand schools and how they operate on a core level.”

Jodi Bergland Holen, Professor
University of North Dakota

“As no one else, Nancy and Diane master the art of bringing innovative theories into the practice.” 

Rik Vanderhauwaert, DNI

The book is not a good fit for the intended course.

Dr Michelle Steele
Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership, Lipscomb University
September 18, 2015
Key features
  • This book is written for all members of a PLC, not just the leaders, really focusing on how working together creates a stronger PLC.
  • Complete rewrite of a bestselling Corwin book.
  • Discusses the 10 essential elements of high functioning PLCs.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1 - PLC Defined


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Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781506300702

Paperback
ISBN: 9781483382654
$32.95

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.