PLC+: Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design

by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, John T. Almarode, Karen T. Flories, Dave Nagel

Overview

Create strong and effectives PLCs plus—and that plus is YOU

What makes a powerful and results-driven Professional Learning Community (PLC)? The answer is PLC plus— “plus” being the vital role teachers play in teaching and learning. Grounded in four cross-cutting themes—equity, high expectations, efficacy, and facilitation from discussion to action—the PLC+ framework supports educators in questioning practices, not just outcomes. It broadens the focus on student learning to encompass educational equity and teaching efficacy, and, in doing so, it leads educators to plan and implement PLCs that maximize individual expertise while harnessing the power of collaborative efficacy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544361796
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	06/17/2019
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is a credentialed English teacher and administrator in California. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, leadership, and curriculum design, as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook (2nd ed.), Your Introduction to PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Teacher Credibility, Instructional Strategies to Move Learning Forward: 50+ Tools That Support Gradual Release of Responsibility, and Welcome to Teaching!

Nancy Frey is a professor in educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include 50 Strategies for Activating Your PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning, Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners, Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers, and RIGOR Unveiled: A Video-Enhanced Flipbook to Promote Teacher Expertise in Relationship Building, Instruction, Goals, Organization, and Relevance.

Dr. John Almarode is a bestselling author and an Associate Professor of Education at James Madison University. He was awarded the inaugural Sarah Miller Luck Endowed Professorship in 2015 and received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia in 2021. Before his academic career, John started as a mathematics and science teacher in Augusta County, Virginia. As an author, John has written multiple educational books focusing on science and mathematics, and he has co-created a new framework for developing, implementing, and sustaining professional learning communities called PLC+. Dr. Almarode's work has been presented to the US Congress, the Virginia Senate, and the US Department of Education.

John and his colleagues have also focused a lot of attention on the process of implementation – taking evidence-based practices and moving them from intention to implementation, potential to impact through a series of on-your-feet-guides around PLCs, Visible Learning, Visible Teaching, and the SOLO Taxonomy.

Karen Flories was the Executive Director of Educational Services for 5 years and Director of Literacy and Social Studies for 2 years with Valley View School District in Illinois, after serving as the English Department Chair for Romeoville High School. Karen’s classroom experience includes high school English, special education, and alternative education. Karen holds credentials in general education, special education, and educational leadership. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University. During her time at the district level, Karen led the implementation of Visible Learning+, specifically focusing on teacher clarity, classroom assessment, and feedback. Karen is the co-author of The PLC+ Activator’s Guide, PLC+: Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design, and The PLC+ Playbook, Grades K-12. She is currently a full-time professional learning consultant for Corwin.

Dave Nagel has been a professional developer and educational consultant both nationally and internationally since 2003 and has done so as his primary job in education since 2008. Prior was a middle and high school science teacher and administrator in a large district in Indianapolis. As a school leader at Ben Davis High School (enrollment 3000 students) Dave was instrumental in developing a focused plan for differentiated goals for students based on specific proficiency measures which supported the school in improving its graduation rate 14% in just over 4 years.

Dave’s primary areas of expertise are in the areas of effective teacher and leader collaboration, assessment and feedback, and specifically effective grading actions both at the school and classroom level. He has been working specifically with Professor John Hattie’s Visible Learning research since 2011 that is a driving force for all of his work with teachers, coaches, and administrators. He has authored 5 books previous to this one, including four within the PLC+ series of publications (Corwin).

Published multiple times in various publications such as Principal Leadership and Educational Leadership, Dave has also presented at various national conferences.

Dave has a strong moral aspect, strives to be very relatable and practical when working with people, and has a savvy sense of humor that supports him in his life and work. Dave stays very busy with his beautiful and supportive wife, Kristen, and three boys (ages 20, 15, and 13). He acknowledges every day that the Lord guides his actions and is the driving force in his life. Dave is an independent consultant for Corwin Press and is the owner of NZJ Learning LLC (named after his three boys) and the Founder of The Center for Collaborative Expertise.

Table of Contents

List of Videos
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION
So What Is a PLC?
The Story Behind PLCs
Adding the Examination of Teaching Practice to the PLC Story
The Five Key Questions
What You Will Find in This Book
1. PLC+: The Plus Is YOU
Teacher Credibility and Efficacy: The Foundation of the Strong PLC+
Facilitating Collaboration: Making the Plus Count
Building Collective Efficacy
The Hope for the PLC+
Conclusion
2. Question 1: Where Are We Going?
The Story Behind the Question
A PLC+ Team in Action
Analyzing the Standard(s)/Curriculum Expectations
The Role of Teacher Clarity in “Where Are We Going?”
Developing Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
It’s Not Just High School English
Moving Beyond a Single Day
Autonomy in Teaching
The Professional Learning of a PLC+
Conclusion
3. Question 2: Where Are We Now?
The Story Behind the Question
A PLC+ Team in Action
Deficit Thinking
Initial Assessments
Analyzing for Equity Gaps
Data Collection
Data Analysis Protocols
Addressing Bias in Data Collection and Analysis
Identifying the Common Challenge
Conclusion
4. Question 3: How Do We Move Learning Forward?
The Story Behind the Question
A PLC+ Team in Action
Evidence-Based Instructional Practices
Assignment Analysis
Compensatory and Adaptive Approaches
Moving Teacher Learning Forward
Learning Walks
Using Microteaching to Improve Teaching and Learning
Conclusion
5. Question 4: What Did We Learn Today?
The Story Behind the Question
A PLC+ Team in Action
Reflection
Expert Noticing
Common Assessments as Triggers for Reflection
Determining Impact of Instruction
Progress Versus Achievement
Conclusion
6. Question 5: Who Benefited and Who Did Not Benefit?
The Story Behind the Question
A PLC+ Team in Action
Equity Audit
Response to Intervention
Universal Screening and Ongoing Assessment
High-Quality Tier 1 Instruction
Supplemental and Intensive Interventions
Meeting the Needs of All Learners
The Professional Learning of PLC+
Conclusion
7. The Next Question in the PLC+ Framework
After the Fifth Question
Beyond a Single PLC+
References
Index