CARLISLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY AT WORK™ DISTRICT
Carlisle Community School District was recently recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The district is one of 26 districts in the US and Canada to receive the honor. The district’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process is a major factor in the improved achievement of its students.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved achievement for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:
- Focus on learning.
- Build a collaborative culture.
- Create a results orientation.
Responding to news of the recognition, Superintendent Amos said, “I am so proud of our staff and their commitment to learning for all. What is special about our staff is their dedication and persistence to continually improve in practice individually and collectively to ensure that all students are smarter and stronger every day.” Amos added, “We will celebrate this great honor, and then we will raise the bar a little higher.”
Districts are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.
According to Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, and Mike Mattos, champions of PLC at Work™, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”
Recognized model PLC districts are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools.
