Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Communities (PLC) enable JSA teachers to continually learn from one another through shared visioning and planning, as well as thorough critical examination of what works to improve student outcomes. PLCs contribute significantly to JSA’s learning communities by fostering a culture of collaboration and collective responsibility for the development of effective teaching practices. The PLC’s focus on continuous improvement in staff performance as well as student learning.

This year, the PLCs continue to implement Powerful Learning and Teaching throughout JSA, which is aimed at:

• Improving the quality and consistency of teaching, and
• Lifting student learning skills, curiosity, creativity, motivation and progress.

Through the following Six Essential Characteristics of a PLC, each group focuses on a Theory of Action from the Powerful Learning and Teaching Initiative.

1. Shared Mission, Vision, Values and Goals.
2. Collaborative Teams focused on learning.
3. Collective Inquiry.
4. Action Orientation and experimentation.
5. Commitment to continuous improvement.
6. Results Orientation.

The six groups meet weekly to plan the process they will follow to achieve their objectives. This process includes strategies for collecting student outcomes data, preparing action plans, developing procedures for implementation, and proposed methods of evaluating the impact of their work on teacher practice and student learning.

Listed are the Theories of Action JSA PLCs have chosen to investigate in 2017.

• Harness Learning Intentions, Narrative & Pace

‘When schools and teachers set high expectations and develop authentic relationships, then students’ confidence and commitment to education increases and the school’s ethos and culture deepens.’

• Commit to Assessment for Learning

‘When peer assessment and assessment for learning (AfL) are consistently utilised, student engagement, learning and achievement accelerates.’

• Prioritise High Expectations & Authentic Relationships

‘When teachers set learning intentions and use appropriate pace and have a clear and strong narrative about their teaching and curriculum, then students are more secure about their learning, and achievement and understanding is increased.’

• Emphasis Inquiry Focused Teaching

‘When teacher directed instruction across the school becomes consistently more enquiry focused, then the level of student achievement and curiosity increases.’

• Set Challenging Learning Tasks

‘When learning tasks are purposeful, clearly defined, differentiated and challenging, then the more powerful, progressive and precise the learning for all students.’

• Implement Cooperative Groups

‘If teachers use co-operative group structures/techniques to mediate between whole class instruction and students carrying out tasks, then the academic performance of the whole class will increase as well as the spirit of collaboration and mutual responsibility.’