Module 5: District PLCs - Tools & Resources
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District-Level PLCs
Use these resources to explore the ideas expressed in Module 5: District PLCs. Click on the links below to skip directly to the protocol of your choice.
-Protocols: 1. Ground Rules; 2. Back to the Future; 3. Mission and Vision; 4. Tuning; 5. Charette; 6. Initiative Alignment
-Articles
Use these resources to explore the ideas expressed in Module 5: District PLCs. Click on the links below to skip directly to the protocol of your choice.
-Protocols: 1. Ground Rules; 2. Back to the Future; 3. Mission and Vision; 4. Tuning; 5. Charette; 6. Initiative Alignment
-Articles
1. Creating
Ground Rules - MS
Word; PDF - Ground Rules, or Norms, are important for a
group that intends to work together on difficult issues, or who will be
working together over time. They may be added to, or condensed, as the
group progresses. Starting with basic Ground Rules builds trust, clarifies
group expectations of one another, and establishes points of “reflection”
to see how the group is doing regarding process. Materials: Stickies. Chart
Paper. Using a T Chart to delineate norms of structure on one side
and norms of conduct on the other helps to clarify who, what, when and
how. Norms are the bedrock of successful PLCs. Attention to these,
and continual re-visiting before and after EVERY meeting is essential.
2. Back to
the Future Protocol - MS Word;
PDF - An engaging tool for “visioning”: what
a school can be. This protocol is adaptable to any good driving question
(“What our school or district look like as a PLC?”) and
creates the groundwork for creatively approaching Vision (what we want to
be) and Mission (how to get there). A modified version for school teams
is also available in Step 2 Resources.
3. Protocol
for Writing Mission and Vision - MS Word; PDF - The vision statement, created before the mission
statement through the Futures Protocol, communicates an ideal end result,
a vision. It reflects values and beliefs, and should inspire and challenge. A
vision statement does not describe what a company does, nor does it
describe how a company operates. Rather, a vision statement details
an ideal end result, a state of being that the company would like to achieve. A
vision for the school is an ideal. It is a picture of an ideal state in
the future. The vision is the foundation for the mission, goals, plans, and
activity of an organization.
4. Tuning
Protocol - MS Word; PDF - Teachers often bring examples of work –in-
progress, often the materials relating to an exhibition or project, cumulative
assessment or student performance. The facilitator guides the group through a
series of deepening levels of understanding—which culminate in warm and cool
feedback; or student or teacher work they have a question about I terms of
“tuning” it to better achieve their goal; to develop more effective curriculum
plans, assignments, or assessments; To develop common standards or assessments for
students’ work. To reflect on and gather ideas for envision of classroom
practice.
5. Charette
Protocol - MS
Word; PDF - To get feedback on a process or piece
of work when the teacher, student, or group is experiencing difficulty, or when
additional minds could help move it forward if the presenters feel “stuck”.
6. Initiative
Alignment Protocol - MS Word; PDF - Teams may use this protocol to get a
sense of all of the initiatives going on in a district (or school) and how
they connect to one another. It gives team an opportunity to
begin to prioritize initiatives and decide to focus on ones which have
greater potential for impact on students.
Articles:
U.S. Department of Education
- Collaboration through Professional Learning
Communities: Sanger Unified School District, An overview of how Sanger Unified School District
implemented PLC work.
- How
do Principals Really Improve Schools, Rick DuFour and Mike
Mattos. An article from Educational
Leadership on how principals can lead efforts to collectively monitor
student achievement through PLCs.
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