2. A Joint Partnership between . . . Washington Education Association Educational Service Districts Association of Washington School Principals Washington Association of School Administrators

3. Educators in 100 different districts identified three broad areas of change that need to occur to improve student learning The first is to rethink and transform the current professional development paradigm. The second is to restructure the design, delivery, content, context and expectations for outcomes of teachers' professional development. The third is reculturing schools and communities in ways that create and nurture opportunities for on-going, job-embedded teacher growth and professional development. Source: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory - SEDL The first is to rethink and transform the current professional development paradigm. The second is to restructure the design, delivery, content, context and expectations for outcomes of teachers' professional development. The third is reculturing schools and communities in ways that create and nurture opportunities for on-going, job-embedded teacher growth and professional development. Source: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory - SEDL

4. Why Professional Learning Communities? Involves staff identifying their own needs and developing learning experiences to meet those needs Is school-based and embedded in daily work Is organized around collaborative problem-solving Is continuous and on-going with follow-up and support Focuses on student learning and instructional practice Provides opportunities to apply new learning within the context of the classroom Is connected to a comprehensive change process Is recognized by research to improve student learning

5. A Professional Learning Community . . . Is . . . A collaborative process Is . . . Focused on student work and student learning Is . . . Focused on Instructional Practice Is . . . An empowering infrastructure of support Is . . . Effective professional development Is . . . Connected to the context of teachers’ classrooms Is . . . Action and results oriented Is . . . Continuous school improvement

6. A Professional Learning Community . . . Is Not . . . A prescription Is Not . . . A new “Program” Is Not . . . A book study Is Not . . . Forced on educators

7. Staff Benefits Reduced teacher isolation Collective responsibility for student success Increased understanding of the roles teachers play in helping all students achieve More satisfaction higher morale less absenteeism Southwest Educational Development Laboratory- SEDL

8. Student Benefits Decreased dropout rate Less absenteeism Greater academic gains in comparison to traditional schools Smaller achievement gaps between students from different backgrounds Southwest Educational Development Laboratory - SEDL

9. What is PLCWashington? Partnership Between Educational Organizations Learning Website - PLCWashington.org On-line PLC Courses Embed authentic Learning Cycles Professional Development Supports Capacity Building in Schools and Districts

11. PLC Modules and Resources Introduction to PLC’s Necessary Conditions Supportive and Shared Leadership Building Trust Collaboration PLC Models and Study Groups Coaching Training and Support

12. On-line Course

13. For More Information Contact Scott Poirier – WEA spoirier@washingtonea.org (360) 561-0019 Dana Anderson – ESD 113 danderson@esd113.k12.wa.us (360) 464-6721