Leading Professional Learning Communities: Voices From Research and Practice

by Shirley M. Hord (Editor), William A. Sommers (Editor)

"Hord is the originator of the triple-headed concept of professional learning communities. Sommers is an experienced administrator and past president of the National Staff Development Council. With the authors′ extensive backgrounds in educational evaluation and the implementation of school change and development, they are uniquely equipped to delineate and defend a particular vision of professional learning communities that has educational depth, professional richness, and moral integrity."
―From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves

"The most important volume available to help principals undertake the challenging yet exhilarating work of building true communities of professional learning."
―Joseph Murphy, Professor
Vanderbilt University

"The book does not gloss over the challenges that leaders will encounter. The authors draw upon rich research evidence and personal experiences and offer many practical, proven change strategies. This is a valuable resource for any educational leader who wishes to become a ′head learner.′"
―Arthur L. Costa, Professor Emeritus
California State University, Sacramento

"Hord and Sommers create a powerful bridge between the research base on PLCs and practitioner knowledge and action. The book′s dual focus on principles and ′rocks in the road′ provide a grounded basis for school leaders. A dog-eared copy should be in every principal′s office and in every professional developer′s tool kit."
―Karen Seashore Louis, Rodney S. Wallace Professor
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

"The authors′ rationale and suggestions will resonate because they come from experience and great insight. The bottom line remains steadfast for these two distinguished you implement a PLC so that teachers learn and students achieve. This text will help educators reach toward that compelling vision."
―Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

Imagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning!

Current research shows a strong positive relationship between successful professional learning communities and increased student achievement. In this practical and reader-friendly guide, education experts Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers explore the school-based learning opportunities offered to school professionals and the principal′s critical role in the development of an effective professional learning community (PLC).

This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. The authors cover building a vision for a PLC, implementing structures, creating policies and procedures, and developing the leadership skills required for initiating and sustaining a learning community.

Each chapter includes meaningful quotes from the field, "rocks in the road" and ways to overcome them, examples from real PLCs, and learning activities to reinforce chapter content. The text illustrates how this research-based school improvement model can help


Increase leadership capacity Embed professional development into daily workCreate a positive school culture Develop accountability Boost student achievementDiscover how you can grow a vital community of professionals who work together to increase their effectiveness and strengthen the relationship between professional learning and student learning.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development

184 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2007

Reviews

[Sandra Greenman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided an excellent rationale and road map for school leaders who seek to implement PLCs in their schools. I was fortunate to have the opportunity twice in my teaching career to work on campuses who practiced the models outlined in this book. I appreciate that Hord and Sommers did not shy away from discussing the investment of time involved in implementing PLCs. The time commitment up front and the continual training is an investment but the payoff is evident in student learning. Creating the sacred space for teachers; building that community of trust and collegiality; learning how to read and interpret the data; and then designing clear goals on how to achieve excellence are all outlined in both the research and practice aspects of this book. The contents of the book, in this case, lived up to the title. I was not disappointed. This will be a book that I return to as a reminder of what a professional learning community is and how it should function. Excellent reference and resource!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best professional book I've read in awhile. It really reshaped the way I see PLCs. One of my favorite parts: "There is power of life and death in the tongue....Speak life to those who cross your path."

[Dr.Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the later chapters most useful and would like to find further reading on how to motivate and support change within the school environment. This book, along with Switch by Chip Heath are a great pairing for re-thinking the ways in which we can motivate and support teachers and students in education.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tremendous resource as we start our new school. The bottom line is student learning!