Read and Download eBook Full
Author:
Publisher:
Published: 2001
Total Pages:
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKPerception or reality: An examination of staff perceptions of professional learning communities in relation to student achievement.
Author: Brandis M. Genenbacher
Publisher:
Published: 2020
Total Pages: 254
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe mixed-methods convergent design case study examined the impact the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model had on student achievement as well as Collective Teacher Efficacy (CTE). The problem this study addressed is students in the United States of America are underachieving in academics compared to other first-world countries (Desilver, 2017). Collective Teacher Efficacy has the highest impact on student achievement (Visible Learning Plus, 2019), leaving educators to find ways to create CTE in schools. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to determine if the implementation of the PLC model increased student achievement in the area of mathematics, as well as impacted CTE in one elementary school setting. The review of literature includes a brief overview of the student achievement epidemic facing the United States of America, the foundation of the Professional Learning Community model and its impact on student achievement, and how the PLC model is related to characteristics of creating CTE. In this study, one cohort group of staff and students were examined over the course of three years. The researcher used quantitative data collected from student state achievement scores to conduct a paired-sample t-test to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in student achievement scores post implementation of the PLC model. In addition, the researcher used quantitative data collected from staff survey data to conduct a two proportion Z test to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in teacher self-rated Likert scale surveys focused on teacher efficacy, staff satisfaction, and supportive environment, post implementation of the PLC model. The qualitative study examined teacher perceptions of CTE collected through individual interview data and analysis. The researcher of the study determined the implementation of the PLC model had a positive impact on student achievement and increased the teacher perception of collective efficacy.
Author: Daisy Arredondo Rucinski
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Published: 2016-12-08
Total Pages: 229
ISBN-13: 1475822820
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIn a professional learning community (PLC), teachers are organized into teams, committed to meeting on a regular basis to study their teaching strategies and the effects of those strategies on the students in their classrooms. The teacher teams can be of varied form and composition. Whatever the organizational structure, the teams have one goal – that is to improve teaching so that student learning is improved. Policy developers, legislators, and educational leaders have encouraged the adoption of collaborative professional learning teams as a school reform model for improving schools. In this book we describe the results of studies of professional learning communities in real schools and the effects of the teams on student learning. Much of the time school innovations are not examined in depth. Instead authors and developers simply advocate that they be used. In this book, school principals and administrators describe how their teachers used the PLC teams to improve student learning in their schools. In other words, this book presents actual research on the effects of the use of PLCs rather than testimonials.
Author:
Publisher:
Published: 2009
Total Pages: 634
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAuthor: Arnold Jeffrey White
Publisher:
Published: 2014
Total Pages: 202
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe Professional Learning Community (PLC) has increasingly gained worldwide acceptance as a research- based approach to professional development for educators. Benefits of the PLC are touted by many researchers who also identify the challenges to authentic implementation of the PLC model. This action research explored teachers' perceptions of the Professional Learning Community. Data sources for this research included an anonymous online survey, in-depth one-on-one interviews and a focus group. Study participants were elementary school teachers of grades five through eight who participated in horizontal professional learning communities for at least one year. Research questions providing the framework for this study were (1) To what extent do teachers think professional learning communities have impacted classroom instruction? (2) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest challenges to effective implementation of professional learning communities? and (3) What do teachers perceive to be the greatest benefits of professional learning communities? Data from these multiple sources indicate that teachers believe that the professional learning community is a viable method of professional development that produces sustainable and positive results for teachers and students. Teachers participating in this study identified numerous benefits of the professional learning community, the most significant being collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Participants believe that the work they do in professional learning communities has impacted classroom instruction and the culture of the school. Challenges to implementation of professional learning communities stem from scheduling issues and time conflicts. Other key themes emerged from the data. For example, teachers believe that they have improved as teachers and consequently, student achievement has improved as a result of PLCs. Teachers working in PLCs share a collective responsibility for pupil learning. Teachers also believe that a school should implement and maintain both vertical and horizontal PLCs. Teachers reported that PLCs fostered better relationships between teachers and administrators and that leadership at the building level impacts the fidelity of a PLC. One other important theme is that relationship building and trust are essential components of a highly functional professional learning community.
Author: Lori A. Smith
Publisher:
Published: 2016
Total Pages: 146
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKToday, educators, administrators, students, and community stakeholders are being asked to receive, implement, and utilize change strategies designed to improve student achievement. One such change strategy currently being utilized is that of the professional learning community. Empirical evidence capturing the voices of the teachers who construct their knowledge and perception surrounding professional learning communities is deficient in the body of literature found today. Using a narrative approach this study examined the following research questions: How do teachers describe the purpose of PLCs? What are teacher perceptions of PLCs at Ames Elementary? How do teacher perceptions of PLCs affect the implementation of PLCs at Ames Elementary? The findings of this study indicate that administrators need to provide ongoing teacher training opportunities. There must also be support provided for the staff that will ensure their ability to be able to form a strong collaborative PLC culture. The purpose for the implementation of PLCs must be clearly articulated and transparent, and the development of positive teacher leaders within PLCs is key. This paper suggests that these factors are useful in working toward implementing and sustaining a professional learning community.
Author: Lois Brown Easton
Publisher: Corwin Press
Published: 2011-07-14
Total Pages: 305
ISBN-13: 1412987113
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIf you are looking for an organic approach to purpose-driven professional learning, this is the book for you. Award-winning educator Lois Brown Easton's latest work provides a compelling case study in narrative form, a chronological PLC planning outline, and first-hand "lessons learned" about how PLCs develop, mature, and sustain themselves. You will not receive a PLC "prescription," but you will find inspiration, wisdom, discussion questions, and a companion CD.
Author: Linda Darling-Hammond
Publisher:
Published: 1997
Total Pages: 76
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis report gauges progress toward achieving high quality teaching in every classroom, using data about teaching conditions that are new since publication of an earlier report by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future. Section 1, "Doing What Matters Most: Investing in Quality Teaching," describes the Commission's original findings and recommendations following two years of study. Findings indicate that most schools and teachers cannot achieve new educational goals because they do not know how and do not receive support to do so. Recommendations include linking teacher standards to student standards, reinventing teacher preparation and professional development, overhauling teacher recruitment, putting qualified teachers in every classroom, and organizing schools for success for all. Section 2, "America's Agenda for Education," discusses new standards and new students in America's schools, examining why and how teaching matters. Section 3, "Lessons from Last Decade's Reforms," discusses major initiatives in North Carolina, Connecticut, and other states for improving teaching quality. Section 4, "The Current Status of Teaching," discusses teacher recruitment and teacher supply and demand; salaries and working conditions; retention; qualifications and training; reform of teacher education and induction; access to professional development; and progress in school reform. Section 5, "Evidence of Progress," describes federal, state, and local initiatives to improve quality. Six appendixes offer state report cards on teacher quality; state-by-state data tables; National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, and National Board standards; Commission staff, advisors, and consultants; partner state contact persons; and national organization partners and contact persons. (SM)
Author: Marica S. Willson
Publisher:
Published: 2006
Total Pages: 158
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAuthor: Tamora LaShawn Jackson
Publisher:
Published: 2014
Total Pages:
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAbstract The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between professional development and student achievement by addressing three major standards of professional learning: content, process, and context. This study included 276 teachers from 28 middle schools. Data from this study was gathered using the Standards Assessment Inventory (SAI) survey instrument designed by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) and publicly available achievement data from the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), a criterion-referenced achievement test. The Standards Assessment Inventory (SAI) was used to examine teachers' perceptions of professional development at the school level. The overall purpose of this study was to collect, analyze, and use existing data to answer the following research question: Based on the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) professional learning standards, is there a positive correlation between teachers' perception of professional development at a school-based level and student achievement? The following sub-questions guided this research: (1) Is there a relationship between the "context" of school-level professional development based on the NSDC standards and student achievement in mathematics and reading/language, as measured by TCAP scores? (2) Is there a relationship between the "process" of school-level professional development based on the NSDC standards and student achievement in mathematics and reading/language, as measured by TCAP scores? (3) Is there a relationship between the "content" of school-level professional development based on the NSDC standards and student achievement in mathematics and reading/language, as measured by TCAP scores?Data for this research was analyzed using statistical computational methods. The results from the data analysis determined that there were several positive significant relationships between the National Staff Development Council standards of professional learning and student achievement.
