Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Learning Communities


Book Description

The ultimate collection for building a world-class professional learning program This groundbreaking 7-book series, co-developed by Learning Forward and Corwin, closes the "knowing-doing" gap by guiding educational leaders through the process for implementing the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning. Each volume tackles an individual standard, providing: Original essays written by leading experts in the field to promote deeper understandings of the meaning of each standard An array of templates, tools, and protocols to help you design and delivery quality professional learning in your own district or school Case studies of districts "getting it right" and educators who have realized the promise of effective professional learning




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning


Book Description

Make your school a place where professional learning thrives Learning Forward is a leader in understanding and advancing professional learning that leads to student success. This series explores Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, which outline the characteristics of effective professional learning that, collectively, advance teaching and learning. This volume focuses on the pathways through which leaders can orchestrate a learning environment that empowers teachers to take charge of their own development. Features include: An original essay by Karen Seashore Louis on creating a school culture in which all adults see themselves as part of the larger enterprise of continuous learning Strategies, tools, and specific examples focused on the leader’s role in everyday practice A case study of how public school leaders in Lexington, Massachusetts, improved outcomes for the district’s students by building trust, developing collaborative capacity, and fostering leadership at all levels of the system When you make professional development an everyday part of the life of your school, you create an environment that encourages innovation, inspires collaboration, and makes continuous learning a priority—which benefits teachers and students.




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning


Book Description

Part of a series on Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, this volume offers creative strategies for prioritizing, monitoring, and coordinating the resources required for educator learning and student success. This book includes: An original essay on how school systems can reconfigure people, time, technology, and money to improve and sustain educator growth Implementation strategies, practical tools, and specific examples for maximizing resources—especially time—for teacher learning A case study of how Dearborn Public Schools, Michigan, shifted existing resources to drive professional learning despite tough economic times




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning


Book Description

Make your school a place where professional learning thrives This volume, part of Learning Forward’s series on its seven Standards for Professional Learning, shows school leaders how to orchestrate a learning environment that empowers teachers to take charge of their own development. Features include: An original essay by Karen Seashore Louis on creating a school culture where all adults are part of the enterprise of continuous learning Strategies, tools, and examples focused on the leader’s role in promoting professional learning A case study of one district’s success in improving outcomes for students by building trust, developing collaborative capacity, and fostering leadership at all levels




Professional Learning Communities at Work®and High-Reliability Schools


Book Description

Dramatically improve schooling by harnessing the collective power of the High Reliability SchoolsTM (HRS) model and the PLC at Work® process. Featuring some of America's best educators, this anthology includes information, insights, and practical suggestions for both PLCs and HRS. The overarching purpose is to demonstrate how these two approaches, taken together, complement each other and support educators in their efforts to create a culture of continuous improvement. Use this resource to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum: Study the HRS and PLC practices with guidance from numerous practitioners and experts, developing good teachers into great teachers through a culture of accountability. Learn how to keep your school focused on the right work in order to achieve learning for all through a continuous improvement process. Understand how the HRS model can improve success with the PLC process and how the PLC at Work process is the cornerstone of a high reliability school. Explore the ways in which strong leaders can model and improve the why and how of PLC at Work through a collaborative culture. Explore the five levels of the HRS model, and then learn how to relate each level to PLC at Work process to improve education in your school or district. Contents: Introduction: Professional Learning Communities at Work and High Reliability Schools—Merging Best Practices for School Improvement by Robert J. Marzano and Robert Eaker Part I: The Five Levels A Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture 1. Culture Building in a High Reliability School by Mario Acosta 2. Frames of Mind and Tools for Success: Organizational Culture in a PLC by Anthony Muhammad Effective Teaching in Every Classroom 3. Six Steps for Effective Teaching in Every Classroom by Toby Boss 4. Effective Teaching in a Professional Learning Community by William M. Ferriter A Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum 5. Six Action Steps for a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum by Jan K. Hoegh 6. PLC, HRS, and a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum by Heather Friziellie and Julie A. Schmidt Standards-Referenced Reporting 7. A Multiyear Plan for Standards-Referenced Reporting by Tammy Heflebower 8. Grading and Reporting for Learning in a PLC by Eric Twadell Competency-Based Education 9. Personalized, Competency-Based Education by Mike Ruyle 10. Preparation for Tomorrow: A Competency-Based Focus and PLCs by Mike Mattos Part II: Professional Learning Communities, High Reliability Organizations, and School Leadership 11. High Reliability Leadership by Philip B. Warrick 12. Leadership in a PLC: Coherence and Culture by Timothy D. Kanold Part III: Professional Learning Communities, High Reliability Organizations, and District Leadership 13. Leadership in High Reliability School Districts by Cameron L. Rains 14. Leadership in a High Performing PLC by Marc Johnson




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Data


Book Description

When teachers use data effectively, students see results. Part of a series on Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, this volume guides teachers and school leaders toward successful data-based decision making—an essential component of effective professional learning and school development. The book’s features include: An original “think piece” by Thomas Guskey on using data in deliberate and thoughtful ways Specific implementation strategies that focus on analyzing student, educator, and system data and assessing progress A detailed case study of one district’s journey to successful use of data and how it led to measurable improvement in student achievement




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Implementation


Book Description

Your path to implementation success starts here! Get the knowledge and know-how to put Leaning Forward’s Standards of Professional Learning into practice with this thoroughly researched book from recognized leaders in the field. Deepen your knowledge of the standards and learn to: Use professional learning as a powerful lever for long-term change Invest in human and social capital to promote school-wide success through an original “think piece” by Michael Fullan Connect the standards to your site-specific needs Includes an overview of the standard, an inspirational case study, and, an array of practical tools. Discover what it takes to implement lasting, high-impact improvements in teaching and learning. This expert resource will show you how!




Opening Doors to Equity


Book Description

The transformative professional learning design that advances equity in your school! How do we make educational equity a reality, lesson by lesson? This compelling book is a call to action, focused on observation-based professional learning to elevate teaching practice. Learn how to bring team observation into the classroom to test, refine and transform instruction so that students of all backgrounds achieve. Ideal for classroom teachers, grade-level team facilitators, department chairs, and all education leaders, this guide shows how to: Create a culture of deep collaboration that closes opportunity gaps among students Effectively redesign instruction to reach culturally and linguistically diverse learners, using observation data and shared best practices Center instructional conversations on developing students’ skills for college and career success, including hard-to-assess skills Including video clips of actual teams, Tonya Ward Singer’s powerful and practical book promises to become a catalyst that will inspire educators as leaders of positive change. "This exceptionally valuable book provides a clear process I can use to engage with my colleagues around learning. I appreciated the ideas and practical information that will ensure that my professional learning group focuses on student learning as evidenced in real lessons. The tools that Tonya Singer provides are useful and relevant, not to mention tried and true." —Douglas Fisher, Professor San Diego State University, CA "I recommend this book without hesitation. . . Gone are the days for teachers to be working ‘behind closed doors’ . . . Go forth and TEACH like the world works––collaboratively with teams!" —Harriet Gould, Adjunct Professor Concordia University, Lincoln, NE




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Learning Designs


Book Description

The right learning design can support professional growth! Learning Forward is a leader in understanding and advancing professional learning that leads to student success. This series explores Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning which outline the characteristics of effective professional learning that, collectively, advance teaching and learning. In this volume, you’ll get original essays, an inspirational case study, and detailed guidance on implementing the Design standard. Deepen your knowledge of standards with An original essay by Eleanor Drago-Severson that offers a fresh take on designs for professional learning that is grounded in adult developmental theory Practical tools that assist readers in selecting appropriate learning designs that promote educator growth Examples of powerful designs for professional learning that are job-embedded, promote active engagement, and support implementation With this book, educators will reach new heights of professional growth and students will reap the benefits.




Reach the Highest Standard in Professional Learning


Book Description

Secure the resources needed to support educator professional growth! Learning Forward is a leader in understanding and advancing professional learning that leads to student success. This series explores Learning Forward’s seven Standards for Professional Learning, which outline the characteristics of effective professional learning that, collectively, advance teaching and learning. In this volume, you will learn creative strategies for prioritizing, monitoring, and coordinating the resources required for educator learning and student success. This book includes: An original essay by Karen Hawley Miles and Anna Sommers on how school systems can reconfigure people, time, technology, and money to improve and sustain educator growth Implementation strategies, practical tools, and specific examples for maximizing resources—especially time—for teacher learning A case study of how Dearborn Public Schools, Michigan, shifted existing resources to drive professional learning despite tough economic times Learn how wise management of professional learning resources can help achieve stronger outcomes for your educators and students!