URL: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/33/b6/b7.pdf
The author of this article, Richard DuFour, supports the use of Professional Learning Communities by providing an interesting look at two schools that experienced an ineffective implementation of a PLC. The findings were that schools should be cautious about “jumping on the bandwagon” and following a “recipe-driven process”.
DuFour refers to the May 2006 issue of the Middle School Journal entitled, “Learning Communities in 6 – 8 Middle schools: Natural Complements or Another Bandwagon in the Parade” (Patterson & co-contributors, 2006), where interviews and surveys of the staff from two middle schools were conducted during the very early stages of implementing a PLC. The authors of that article stated that teachers were very confused about terminology, as well as, the PLC concept. Existing school teams were consolidated into PLC’s in name only.
The first error the authors of that article made was focusing on terminology, structures and perceptions instead of practices. They didn’t show any evidence that the teachers actually engaged in real PLC practices. Second, they studied schools that were in the beginning stages instead of fully implemented and established PLC’s. How can you question the effectiveness of PLCs if you only examine the ones who are in the beginning stages? Frustration and confusion can be expected when something new is being implemented.
The term PLC have been misused and overused. However, studies have shown schools that were fully engaged in PLC practices; the outcomes were very successful and provide our best hopes for substantial school improvement. The true evidence of a PLC is not in its name but in its process. “terms travel easily…but the meaning of the underlying concepts does not” (DuFour, 2004), pg. 6.
After reading the assigned readings, in our textbook, it is clear there is no "quick fix" or short cut to school improvement. Neither is there a "recipe" but it does provide a powerful framework that must be fully embraced and that means hard work....team work.
