Page 60 - EdViewptsSpring2020

Structuring PLCs for Success

By Kim Tucker, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, Somers Point
School District

In 2006, I joined the conditions for successful implemen- Time is another condition for success,
New Jersey Professional tation of PLCs. School leaders can and the factor I find to be the biggest
use these seven conditions as a
barrier. Learning by Doing: A Handbook
Teaching Standards Board. needs assessment or starting point for Professional Learning Communities
At that time, I was a teacher and the in order to improve the current reality at Work by Dufour, Dufour, Eaker and
Board was focused on facilitating in their context. Many includes many strategies for
quality, job-embedded professional Vision and leadership is the first finding time for PLCs. Common time
learning in schools in the form of condition. Education consultant Steve built into the school’s master schedule
Professional Learning Communities or Barkley has discussed on his weekly can be the most effective way to
PLCs. I had never heard of a PLC or blog the need to create a vision for the guarantee regular time for PLCs to
worked formally in one, so I had a lot work that PLCs will do, or else they may meet. Parallel scheduling provides time
of learning to do. Now, I have served become a PWC – Professional Working by scheduling specialists to work with a
in leadership roles in four school Community. PLCs are not another team whole grade level at one time one day
districts and I have had the opportunity meeting, but a place for teachers to do per week for collaborative planning.
to implement or support PLCs in each the educator learning that is required Adjusting the start and end times of a
of those districts. I also serve on the to increase student learning. School contractual day occurs when an entire
executive board of Learning Forward leaders can communicate this vision faculty agrees to start their workday
New Jersey. In these roles, I’ve through professional learning for PLC early or extend their workday one day
learned a great deal regarding how to Facilitators and other school leaders per week in order to gain collaborative
best support the work of PLCs. who support PLCs. In addition, John time. In return, they exchange that
time later during the week by starting
Becoming a Learning Team by Hattie ranked collective teacher efficacy the workday later or leaving earlier.
Stephanie Hirsch and Tracy Crow is as the number one factor influencing Shared classes allow teachers to
a helpful resource. This book, now student achievement (Hattie, 2016). combine classes in order to provide
in its second edition, identifies seven

Educational Viewpoints -58- Spring 2020