Making Time for PLCs in a Time Deprived Day

Dr. Michael McNeff

Rugby Public School District

Twitter: @mdmcneff

Learning Targets

•Understand the specific challenges that schools face to develop effective PLCs

•Understand the four critical questions all PLCs must explore

•Explore potential school structures to implement a consistent time for PLCs

Discussion Question

As a small school and/or singleton teacher what challenges do you currently face in collaborating in a meaningful way?

Four Critical Questions

What do we want students to know and be able to do?

How will we know if they can?

What will we do if they can’t?

What will do if they already can?

Discussion Topic

We are prisoners of time

Traditional schools make time the constant and learning the variable. This is exactly backwards of how it needs to

be. New models of education should make learning the constant, and time

the variable.

– Robert Marzano

Discussion Question

What is the “right work” of a PLC?

Our most effective PLCs report out on the standard.

PLC Lite vs the Real Thing

•Collective responsibility for student learning

•Establish a guaranteed and viable curriculum

Powerstandards

Scope and Sequence

Discussion Question

What does collective responsibility look like in

action?

PLC Lite vs the Real Thing

•Assessment process involves team developed CFAs•Assessment results:

•Identify those who need more time•Identify those who need enrichment•Identify individual strengths and weaknesses in instruction•Identify issues when students do not meet desired level

Develop Mastery Levels

Discussion Question

Mastery is…

My students are literate in my subject area when they…

Rubrics and Mastery

Data Analysis

Action

Discussion Question

Are current classroom assessments tied to team developed

Powerstandards?

Do your assessment practices identify those that need

intervention and enrichment?

PLC Lite vs the Real Thing

•Create a system of intervention that focuses on both intervention and enrichment

Students at the top require just as much planning,

consideration, and effort as those who struggle.

Discussion Question

What steps does your team need to take to begin to

develop a system of intervention and enrichment?

Creating time for PLCs

•Find a consistent time

•Occur at minimum once per week

•Time is protected and considered sacred

•Wednesday morning

•What about the kids?

Discussion Question

What will be your first step(s) to create a consistent time to collaborate when you return to your district?

Questions?

Contact Information:

Twitter: @mdmcneff

Email: mike.mcneff@k12.nd.us

Website: http://www.rugby.k12.nd.us/

PPT Link: Slideshare.net

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In education isolation is the enemy.