PLC Survey of MESPA members: March 2009 Many MESPA members are looking for ways
to implement the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model. Some schools are
considering two-hour late starts/early releases or weekly one-hour late
start/early releases to provide PLC meeting time. This concept is being
met with support in some communities and opposition in others. Most of
the opposition stems from concern that either teachers do not have
enough student contact time or that families can’t handle this weekly
schedule change. MESPA conducted a member survey asking the following questions; for results, scroll to the Excel document at the bottom of the page.
Do you use PLCs for staff development purposes: for example,
weekly PLC meetings either before or after school for all licensed
staff?
Does your district currently have any late starts or early dismissals in the calendar?
If your district does have late starts or early dismissals, what
is your format: for example, five 1-hour late starts, four 2-hour early
dismissals, one afternoon a month for staff development, etc.?
What are the hours of your student day: for example, 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.?
How much are your teachers under contract outside of your student
day: for example, teachers have 60 minutes of contracted time outside
of the student day?
Heart of Change Rob
Bocchino, founder Heart of Change, examined the priorities of
developing and maintaining PLCs during his keynote address at MESPA
Institute 2009:"Building Professional Learning Communities: A Tool for Shaping Culture and Shaping Great Minds."Among the most challenging issues he presented were
accurately assessing where your school is in the PLC process and what
you need to do to truly move forward.
Bocchino examined the specific work of instructional leaders, setting the stage for understanding the developmental steps
that all schools go through when developing and maintaining Learning
Communities. He provided insights and solutions to some of the
most challenging issues for new or established professional learning
communities -- and provided a diagnostic
template and protocol that lets members of a PLC determine where they
are, and what they must do to move forward. For a copy of his presentation, scroll to the PDF below.
Rob Bocchino is an international consultant, teacher
and facilitator. He has expertise in brain compatible learning and
communication skills as well as group dynamics, change, and leadership. Click here for more information on Heart of Change.
MESPA_PLC_Survey_Results_3.xls Results of March 2009 MESPA survey on how professional learning communities currently are implemented in our schools. Bocchino_PLC_Keynote.pdf KEYNOTE PRESENTATION (Institute 2009): Building Professional Learning Communities: a tool for shaping culture and great minds with Rob Bocchino
PLC Survey Results, scroll down to Excel document
How are PLCs implemented in your school/district and how is time dedicated to student contact?
Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.
Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.
Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
