On behalf of the Essex Westford Community, we are proud to announce that Essex Elementary School has been recognized as a model Professional Learning Community School. PLC model schools are schools in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to commit to:
1. A focus on learning
2. Building and sustaining a collaborative culture
3. Creating a results orientation (analysis and acting on data)
Becoming a model school requires a rigorous application process and schools 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. Applications include products and artifacts that help to demonstrate the school's commitment to the PLC process. For example, these may include information about the school’s shared foundation, team-produced products that address the four critical questions, and schedules.
Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and demonstrate evidence for consideration to a National PLC Review Committee. Some items that must be included are a process for carefully monitoring each student’s learning on an ongoing basis, a process for responding when students experience difficulty in learning (rather than leaving it to the individual classroom teacher to solve), and a process for enriching and extending the learning for students who are proficient.
This frequent monitoring of student learning includes common assessments created by the collaborative team of teachers responsible for the same group of students.
This coordinated process ensures students receive additional time and support for learning in a way that is timely, directive (rather than invitational), and systematic. Students do not miss new instruction to receive this additional support or extension in model PLC schools.
According to the 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.” The successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work ® practices has been a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of EES students. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment to this work. When announcing the news, Solution Tree representatives stated “We applaud Essex Elementary and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”
All recognized model PLC schools are listed online, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools.
Essex Westford is committed to high levels of learning for all. Our vision and equity policy call upon us to utilize the research-based practices outlined in the Professional Learning Communities at Work ® framework to support learning by doing, strong systemic cohesion, collective teacher efficacy, and continuous learning for each and every EWSD student. To quote an EWSD colleague, “These practices work. They have had a positive impact on my teaching practice and my students learning.” Essex Westford now has three model PLC schools in District, more than any other District in the State of VT. We are proud to be recognized as leaders in this most important work and wholeheartedly congratulate Essex Elementary on this outstanding achievement.
Jackie Tolman
EWSD Director of Learning and Instructional Impact