Professional Learning Communities & High School Reform

Denise Decheck

Program Director, e-CADEMY

Presenter Information

Denise Decheckdenise.decheck@aiu3.net

Former high school math teacher & technology coach

Current Program Director for e-CADEMY (an online virtual school for secondary students in Allegheny County)

www.aiu3.net/ecademy

Background Information

Professional Learning Community:

A group of people who learn and work together toward a common

purpose or goal.

(my words)

Background Information

Plum High School – Pittsburgh, PA www.pbsd.k12.pa.us

’06-’07: Technology Committee - MOODLE ’07-’08: PLC’s for grades 9 & 10 ’08-’09: PLC’s for grades K-12

Details

Year One: Technology Committee Assigned “Tech” duty on teacher schedule Charged to implement MOODLE as a classroom

support Provided training to K-12 staff by Thanksgiving

Details

Year Two: Grade 9 & 10 Staff Classrooms for the Future (CFF) launched by state Assigned “PLC” duty to core content area staff M-F Focused on everything from curriculum to building

issues to infusing technology into instruction and assessment

Capitalized on staff “experts” Required Principal to be instructional leader

Details

Year Three: District Wide Assigned “PLC” duty to all core content area teachers Offered non-core teachers optional after-school PLC’s

Details

Year Three: District Wide IMPLEMENTED CHANGES

– FREQUENCY: ONE DAY technology ONE DAY curriculum and instruction ONE DAY student services

– RESPONSIBILTIES: Technology: COACH / Technology Integrator C & I: Vice-Principal Student Services: Assistant Principal

Roadblocks

Union issues Validation of cultural change Communication Staff isolation (feeling “left out”) Willingness to change Scheduling

Benefits

Positive Cultural Change– TIME given for initiatives, ongoing professional

development, etc…

Positive Instructional Change– Staff collaboration encouraged and supported

Positive Leadership Change– Administration led by example

Benefits

Positive Student Change– Authentic projects (Windows Movie Maker, Promethean

Flipcharts, etc.)– Authentic explorations (Internet, Webquests, Geogebra,

United Streaming (Discovery), etc.)– Decrease in absenteeism – Increase in classroom engagement– Increase in student performance on class assessments– Increase in communications (MOODLE as a resource)

Next Steps

In ’09-’10 PLC time will be used to: Focus on differentiated instruction on the secondary

level Implement a “All Algebra” in 8th grade initiative Pilot open-ended, reflective midterms and finals Continue technology support, implementation, and

collaboration

(as of 11/08)

Conclusion

1. Have a purpose - WHY?

2. Have a plan – HOW?

3. SHARE the plan and purpose!

Once you give something,

don’t take it away.