Cultures Built to Last: Systemic PLCs at Work

by Richard DuFour, Michael Fullan

Take your professional learning community to the next level! Discover a systemwide approach for re-envisioning your PLC while sustaining growth and continuing momentum on your journey. You'll move beyond isolated pockets of excellence while allowing every person in your school system--from teachers and administrators to students--the opportunity to be an instrument of lasting cultural change. Benefits: Contents:
Introduction: Systemic PLCs
Chapter 1: Clarity Precedes Competence
Chapter 2: Creating Coherence and Clarity
Chapter 3: The Loose-Tight Dilemma
Chapter 4: The Loose-Tight System in Action
Chapter 5: Sustaining the Improvement Process
Afterword: Thinking (and Doing) Bigger

Genres: Education, Leadership, Nonfiction, Teaching, Professional Development

104 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2013

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

DuFour and Fullan provide an excellent succinct overview of proposed leadership priorities to facilitate authentic PLCs. The challenge, like in most informative texts, is striking a balance between being prescriptive and theoretical. This text does a fair job at it, but I question if most leaders will put the book down and know exactly how to go forward. Therefore, I'd suggest more adjoining resources, links to videos, other resources of what it looks like in action, and if possible full disclosure of school districts engaging in the work.

[Angel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was very helpful from the side of an administrator trying to implement and run a PLC in a building that has not yet, or is just starting its PLC journey. This book did a great job of stressing important factors (loose tight being the best example), while also consistently giving instructions on how to mitigate problems.

Something that I think could have been improved on is I feel that some information was repetitive and could have been left out. However, this was a very nice book.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this for grad school. Easy read for school leaders wanting to learn more about PLCs in schools.

Probably good for someone who doesn’t know much, but I felt like I knew a lot of the information given already.

[Mary Culpepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh I wished things just worked this way... I found this actionable and efficient for spaces in which educators have personal control and/ or spaces where educators have voice. I recognize that not every system works in this way, but it would be an ideal for sure.

[Mr. M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is important for all teachers and administrators to embrace.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reminders of why PLCs are here to stay in education.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reminder/refresher on all things PLC and why this work is so important. Read for a work book study.

[Bernie Van Doninck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collaborative effort from two of the leading authorities on PLCS; Michael Fullan and Richard DuFour. Both of these authors have written extensively on PLCs individually in the past.

This very short book contains a lot of familiar language from previous outings but is much more concise and the perspective is more predominantly that of whole system reform. From this condensed perspective however I was able to gain a lot of "gems" worth exploring and revisiting with staff such as that of moral purpose to our work.

As the authors highlight, we have all led or been part of successful changes and initiatives in the past but equally so have seen very few sustain momentum. The work and structure of a PLC is a complete shift in how schools function and not a checklist of to-dos. To sustain a PLC schools must continually revisit the foundations of this cultural shift if it is to continue and thrive. For this reason I highly recommend this book to principals because of its brevity to reignite conversations and behaviours in schools. I also highly recommend this book to teachers who are looking for a quick read to understand the whole-system perspective of PLCs and why this cultural shift has gained so much ground and has survived other shifts that were defeated by the "this too shall pass" perspective.

[Adrienne Michetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this gem of a book. I have pulled out quotes and related thoughts from every chapter - - it is that relevant. To be clear, it's less about PLCs and more about creating and sustaining improvement in a school, via systems and processes involving leaders, collaborative teams, and structures. The authors have included substantial research to support their points, and all of it is made very accessible.

There is something in here for any school interested in making evolutionary change, particularly for leaders or heads of teams, with much more to follow up or expand on via the relevant research listed in the bibliography. Further, the authors offer resources on their website, which I haven't personally checked, but they are referred to throughout and sound like useful concrete places to start the process of creating systems to support improvement.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was handed to me with no preamble in March which makes me think it hadn't been read yet by that person. As I go back to the classroom full time next year, I thought it'd be good to brush up on PLCs. This book is concise, which I appreciate. My biggest gripe is actually font size. I got some good questions to use to hopefully make good use of time. I recommend me it if you're an educator in a PLC.

[Borax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that really lays out the basics for getting your PLC culture launched. I especially loved the "relentless" focus on student improvement and the loose/tight philosophy where you have clear non-negotiables at the ADMIN level that will be tracked...but the way in which you get to those metrics is largely up to the teacher and the team...as they meet regularly to check on products and process...amending approach and seeking guidance and help to fill in a needed area.

[Leslie Jensen-Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read on Professional Learning Communities. The information is broken up into easily digestible chunks.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is "Clarity is a process as well as a state."

There is a lot of information about the Common Core which isn't a focus of my work and I still found value in much of the information.

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLCs

I am about to start a PLC focused on improving outcomes for elementary students through the strategic use of technology to support Reader's and Writer's Workshop. If interested, find me @gaby13rh on Twitter!

This book makes me believe that PLCs are the best way to improve both student outcomes and professional learning that is sustainable.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read on a complex subject. Got to the point but then hammered it over and over and over and over and…you get the picture. Very good vehicle for non educators to understand the PLC process and how it relates to learning and teaching.

[Jessyca505 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love PLCs. They are a way of life. The ethos of an educational organization. For me, not 'new learning' but rather 'reminded learning' of the power of a system built on coherence and directed empowerment. So necessary...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definite must read for those working in sustainability and real improvement.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a decent update on the classic. It goes a bit deeper into systemic change and branching out past the immediate organization.

[Dave Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic collaboration between two of the greats. A must read for anybody who cares about school improvement or all children learning to their highest potential.

[Shari Hardinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice overview of PLCs for leaders. Imperative points made throughout.

[Ryan Glaze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two respected authors/experts combine with what looked to be a very accessible and easy read. There was some nest in this, but it was under seasoned and gristly...