Blog
PLC Speakers Video Playlist
Here’s a great new resource for PLC admins and teachers: a playlist of speakers discussing the various aspects of PLCs. You can scroll through the videos below, or visit the playlist page on . . . Read more
10 Steps to Creating a PLC Culture
As a Solution Tree associate for the last 7 years, I have had the privilege of working with many groups of educators as they try to develop their professional learning community (PLC). One of the . . . Read more
No Excuses for No Homework
I’d wager that most middle grades teachers spend incredible amounts of time dealing with students and their homework issues. I’m also willing to bet that homework plays a major role in . . . Read more
How Can Elective Teachers Participate in the PLC Process?
I received the following letter from the chairman of a fine arts department. The question she raises is one facing all elective teachers: “I have a question that I was hoping you could help me with... Read more
Experimentation Within a Professional Learning Community
One of the professional learning community’s critical questions is, “What do we do if the kids don’t know it?” The answer is the pyramid of interventions. The first and . . . Read more
Do Our Behaviors Reflect Our Intentions?
This posting addresses schools that have been working as a PLC for a couple of years. Rick DuFour says that the road to a PLC is full of parking lots where a school can get stuck and fail to continue on the journey. At that point it’s time for a check of current reality... Read more
It’s Not Pixie Dust, It’s Protocol
This article originally appeared in the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association bimonthly newsletter, TEPSA News, and is posted here with their permission. It’s Not Pixie . . . Read more
Are Your Assessments Good, Not So Good, or . . . Great?
“What does a good formative assessment look like?” “Can you please show us some examples?” These are the types of questions that often surface as collaborative teams in PLC schools delve into the work of... Read more
Little Rock PLC Institute: Day Two #atplc
Free resources and a summary of the conversation on Twitter from day two of Solution Tree's Little Rock PLC institute. Read more
Little Rock PLC Institute: Day One #atplc
Free resources and a summary of the conversation on Twitter from day one of Solution Tree's Little Rock PLC institute. Read more
In a PLC, Leadership Is Not Lonely!
Even though some students learn regardless of the teacher assigned to them, we know that strong teachers impact the learning of all students. Can the same be said for teachers and leaders? Even . . . Read more
When Homework Is Not Being Done at Home
Whenever I present on effective interventions, one of the most common questions I receive is: “Too many of our students just won’t try . . . how do we motivate them to do their . . . Read more
Driven by DIVAS (Data, Instruction, Varied Assessments, and Supports)
How do educators focus on improving student achievement when demographics and performance challenges seem insurmountable? The teachers at Licking Heights High School recently addressed this . . . Read more
Progress or Procrastination?
I received a question regarding the timetable a school had established to implement the PLC process. According to the proposed timetable, this high school would devote one school year to helping . . . Read more
Developing a Shared Mission
The first challenge of a professional learning community (PLC) is the development of the pillars of a PLC: shared mission, shared vision, shared values, and shared goals. Working with schools . . . Read more