Joe Cudd - Maes y morfa

Fullan (2008) argues…schools are beginning to discover new ideas, knowledge creation, inquiry and sharing are essential to solving learning problems in a rapidly changing society…

this feels like…

SWIMMING IN SPAGHETTI…

Ringing the bell of change…

The Challenge (SEF 2008)To transform the education system so that we ensure success for each student in each setting (Harris, 2008)

But how do we transform our education system in

Wales?

Key aims of the SEF…

Better outcomes and wellbeing for all children regardless of socio-economic status.

Reduce the variation in learning outcomes in classrooms, schools and L.E.A’.s.

The School Effectiveness Framework : key principles…

Common understanding of the challenges.

Commitment of all parties to work differently.

Accepting responsibilities in making improvements.

Tri-Level Working

All on the same page…great…improved student outcomes….BUT…how will this impact on schools?

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

One of the central pillars of the success of the SEF is the use of PLCs to secure school improvement and reduce within school variation.

• Professional Learning Communities

• Families of Schools

• School Governors

A collection of parts that do not connect is not a system. It is a heap. O’Connor and McDermott (1997)

“…the most promising strategy for substantive school improvement is developing the capacity for school personnel to function as a professional learning community (PLC).”

Robert Eaker, Richard DuFour, and Rebecca DuFour, Getting Started:

Reculturing Schools to Become Professional Learning Communities

I like to think of it as…continued restlessness…are we doing this effectively?

IS NOT a prescription

IS NOT a new programme

IS NOT weekly team lesson plan meetings

IS NOT a meeting focused on administration and management details

A Professional Learning Community...

Choosing the Focus

Coming together is a beginning

Keeping together is progress

Working together is success.

Henry Ford.

Academic Optimism…it’s an idea…how will SEF and PLC’s impact on this…it is my area of research as a PHD student…

Academic Emphasis

Collective Efficacy

FacultyTrust

Academic Optimism

This is what I am researching…it is critical to schools…and the system…and SEF…and more importantly PLC’s…local…national and internationally…

Learning communities are driven by supportive ways a sense of solidarity and affiliation with each other. Trust in each other is critical…

Do you know that feeling? Someone else has the answer…

• all children and young people to develop their full potential;• promote a culture of social inclusion;• establish strong professional learning communities in schools;• a curriculum that engages and motivates children to learn;• a learning community for all engaged in school life;• deliver integrated services for children and young people to

improve their wellbeing; and• ensure that all schools are community focussed…that’s why I went

to New York…more later…

The School Effectiveness Framework and the

National Purpose for Schools:

Key drivers for change focused on:

① robust use of data: and categorisation of schools.

② strengthening teaching and learning…National Frameworks.

③ distributed leadership within schools and local authorities

④ development of Professional Learning Communities within, between and across schools;

⑤ clear lines of accountability for schools, governors, local authorities and WAG;

⑥ capacity building at school, local and national level and the development of system leaders.

What mechanisms do we have to support this?

• Literacy

• Numeracy

• Reducing links between poverty and educational attainment…one and two are in hand this priority is going to be the hardest to change it involves multiple partners and relevant service delivery at school level…

The Assembly Government’s Three Priorities for Action.

• engage in collaborative work • participate in decision making • have a sense of purpose • accept joint responsibility for the outcomes of their work

Professional learning communities are where educators:

Fullan (2010)• The evidence is clear. PLCs, well implemented, produce

learning results for students.

• The reason is also clear ...PLCs develop the capacity of teachers to improve teaching practices that get results which means that PLCs can contribute to system transformation in Wales.

Need for entire system to be pushed in the same direction

Professional Learning Communities within, between and across Schools (SEF, 2008)

High performing schools help teachers improve instruction by learning from each other…and we must include the children…

Involving pupils in PLCs

None of us know what all of us know!

Effective PLCs -7 Tests Clarity of focus Consistent and creative use of data Collaboration with purpose Communication of intent and outcomes Capacity building through engagement and

involvement of others Coherent action Change in learning outcomes and

professional practice

Impact of the PLC

Change in Learner Outcomes:

Change in Professional Practices

Getting it wrong is learning to get it right….

PLCs within schools

Between SchoolsNetworks /Clusters

of PLCs

Across SchoolsNationally

(PLC on line)

Across Schools Internationally

(iPLC)

HeadsTeachers

Pupils

GovernorsSupport

staff

Extending and Sustaining PLCs