Professional Learning Communities/Collaborative Learning Teams ...

Professional Learning Communities/Collaborative Learning Teams
Guidelines for 2009-2010
(Goal forms due by September 5)
2009-2010 will be our sixth year of using district Collaborative Teams known as
Professional Learning Communities or PLCs. The work accomplished by these teams, the
positive impact on student learning and the end of year sharing are evidence that PLCs
have been a positive addition to our district. These guidelines in this document will help
you form and participate in a PLC for the 2009-2010 school year
Scheduling of PLCs
Each PLC must meet for 9 hours outside the regular contracted day. Teams may use the
fourth Wednesday or each month to meet, with sessions starting at 3:15 p.m. If your
group prefers to meet during an alternate time that you all agree on, you may meet during
the alternative time as long as it is outside of the regularly contracted school day.
All PLC members must attend the 9.0 hours of meetings and document their attendance.
Missed meetings will result in time deducted from sick leave since PLC meetings
constitute contracted time.
The final PLC session is the sharing session scheduled for May 5, 2010 from 3:30 to 5:00
p.m. at your individual buildings. Including the sharing session, the total contracted time
for PLC teams is 10.5 hours.
Professional Learning Community Purpose
The purpose of PLCs is to provide staff with an opportunity for self-directed professional
development that improves instructional practice through collaboration and individual
study. PLC work should support District and building goals. If designed carefully, it may
also serve as the Professional Growth Plan. In this instance, staff need only complete the
PLC goal form and discuss it with your principal.
Characteristics of Learning Teams
1. Support District/Building Goals
2. Are collaborative
3. Are inquiry-based; support new learning
4. Designed to improve student achievement
5. May support individual professional growth plans
Size of the Group
While the recommended group size is 4-6 members, a team consisting of all members
of a grade level, high school department, or K-12 departments is acceptable if the size
of the group does not exceed 10. When possible, groups should be building-based.
Goal of the Group
At the first PLC team meeting from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m. on August 31, 2009, teams
should develop the group goal(s). This meeting is not part of the required hours.
Well crafted PLC goals will link with District and/or building goals and the Professional
Growth Plans of the PLC team participants. A strong PLC plan will use data to improve
student achievement.

Facilitation of the Group
Facilitation of the Group may be rotated, shared between a few members, or done by
one member. There will be no stipend for facilitation.
Tasks for the facilitator include:
♦ Developing the agenda: This is best done by the group at the end of each
meeting for the next meeting. Submit the agenda to your principal and Kelly
Mosher at least one week prior to the next meeting.
♦ Taking attendance: Submit to your principal and Kelly Mosher on the day
following the meeting.
♦ Providing an electronic copy of any products the group develops to your
principal and Kelly Mosher (i.e. common assessments, differentiated unit
plans, resource lists, etc.).
♦ Minutes: Assign a minute taker and provide a copy of the minutes to your
principal and Kelly Mosher within a week of the meeting.
♦ Facilitating the discussion/work of the group.
♦ Make sure resources needed meeting are available at the start of the
meeting.
♦ Seeking assistance for additional expertise: This might include having
someone trained from outside your group attend a meeting to share their
expertise, assistance in conflict resolution within the group, or support to
prepare something for the group.
Budget for the Group
The PLC budget money has been rolled into each building’s professional development
allocation. Please ask your building administrator if you need funds.
Final Presentations
Final presentations will be expected at the last meeting of the year. These will be held at
each building on May 5, 2010 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Dates for Professional Learning Communities
August 31, 2009 - 12:45-2:00 p.m. – The District has provided time for groups to
organize and set goals.
9.0 hours outside of the regular contract day – The fourth Wednesday of each
month has been saved for this purpose. Teams using this time may begin meetings at
3:15 p.m.
May 5, 2010 - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Sharing and celebration of PLC work!
8/27/09
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