Why PLCs? Why now?
The most promising strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement is developing the ability of school personnel to function as professional learning communities.” (DuFour & Eaker, 1998)
A shift from a culture of teaching to a culture of student learning requires a change in Iowa schools. The Iowa Core supports this cultural shift by setting the expectation that there will be a sustained positive impact on student learning. Outcome 6 from the Iowa Core plan calls for educators to form and maintain collaborative learning teams. However, this is only the beginning. In order to truly create and sustain this collaborative culture, a school-wide effort to operate as a professional learning community is essential.
"Schools that function as professional learning communities are always characterized by a collaborative culture. Teacher isolation is replaced with collaborative processes that are deeply embedded into the daily life of a school. Members of a PLC are not "invited" to work with colleagues: They are called upon to be contributing members of a collective effort to improve the school's capacity to help all students learn at high levels." (Eaker, DuFour, & DuFour, 2002)
DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional Learning Communities at Work. Bloomington: Solution Tree Press.
Eaker, R., DuFour, R., & DuFour, R. (2002). Getting Started: Reculturing Schools to Become Professional Learning Communites. Bloomington: Solution Tree Press.