Professional Learning Community Analysis

In the 21st century, successful professional learning communities establish clear goals that guide all aspects of the school community. These goals must focus on student achievement; therefore, collecting and analyzing data from assessments in schools is one crucial requirement that all teachers must execute to increase students’ academic achievement. “Data is data that you are sort of gathering everyday based on what kids are actually doing and saying in your classroom and the products they are creating” (Laureate Education, 2008s). As educators, we must understand that in order for students to improve in their learnings, we need to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, teachers need to implement different type of assessments

Educators implement formative and summative assessments to assess retention and comprehension (DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, & Many, 2010). Teachers must also provide positive feedback to all students after data is analyzed and establish different programs to help students that are struggling in the classroom. There is no doubt that one crucial element of a professional learning community is using data and results to track the progress of the students through different type of assessments (Bafumo, 2006). In this essay, I will be emphasizing the analysis of my school focusing on results, personal experiences, district goals, ways to measure goals, and my role as a leader in the school.

Utilizing “The Professional Learning Communities Continuum” I was able to assess the current reality of my school’s implementation focusing on results. It took me to realize that we are still far away from becoming a successful professional learning community.

The school’s goal is to achieve an exemplary academic program and to accomplish these goals, we must plan to adhere to the Campus Improvement Plan, and state Texas Essential knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Our district goal is that all students must show significant gains in their test scores of a minimum of 10 percent points as well as AP scores in all subject areas must improve with a minimum of 70 percent of the students passing the exam. Another district goal is that technology must be utilized and be evident in classroom instruction as well as provide an environment that is positive and safe. Examining my school and district goals to better guide teachers’ daily work is to work collaboratively with other colleagues and discuss different ways on how to achieve the district and school goals in the classroom. For instance, if we want our district to show gains of improvement, we must establish communications with all school staff in faculty meetings and provide different options for attaining these goals. In order for these goals to be achieved, all teachers need to make a commitment of working long hours and be willing to change their instructional methods to meet the need of the students. According to Bafumo (2006), it is a challenge to accommodate any change in the classroom, but a lack of change could be affecting your students’ achievement. As educators, we must understand that there are