Professional Learning Communities (PLC) St Joseph's Primary School is a Professional Learning Community (PLC). PLC is a whole school approach in which educators work collaboratively in an ongoing process of learning cycles to ensure the requirements of the curriculum are met and every student in the school achieves. PLC's operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job embedded learning for educators. PLC's are based on 3 big ideas and four critical questions.
The 3 big ideas of a PLC are: Focus on Learning The fundamental purpose of the school is to ensure high levels of learning for all students. This focus on learning translates into four critical questions that drive the daily work of the school. In PLCs, educators demonstrate their commitment to helping all students learn by working collaboratively to address the four critical questions.
Building a Collaborative Culture No school can help all students achieve at high levels if teachers work in isolation. Schools improve when teachers are given the time and support to work together to clarify essential student learning, develop common assessments for learning, analyse evidence of student learning and use that evidence to learn from one another.
Focus on Results PLCs measure their effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. All programs, policies, and practises are continually assessed on the basis of their impact on student learning. All staff members receive relevant and timely information on their effectiveness in achieving intended results. The four critical questions on which PLCs base all their decisions and actions on are:
