What is a PLC?
“A Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a community of educators committed to working collaboratively to facilitate ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research, which helps them achieve better results for the students they serve. PLCs operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators.”
—Adapted from Learning by Doing
What are the 3 Big Ideas of a PLC?
- Focus on Learning
The fundamental purpose of a school is to ensure high levels of learning for all students. This focus on learning translates into four critical questions that drive the daily work of schools. In PLCs, educators demonstrate their commitment to helping all students learn by working collaboratively to address the following four critical questions:- What do we want students to learn? What should each student know and be able to do as a result of each unit, grade level, and/or course?
- How will we know if they have learned? Are we monitoring each student’s learning on a timely basis?
- What will we do if they don’t learn? What systematic process is in place to provide additional time and support for students who are experiencing difficulty?
- What will we do if they already know what we're teaching?
- Build a Collaborative Culture
- No school can help all students achieve high levels if teachers work in isolation.
- Schools improve when teachers are given the time and support to work together to clarify essential student learning, develop common assessments for learning, analyze evidence of student learning, and use that evidence to learn from one another.
- Focus on Results
- PLCs measure their effectiveness based on results rather than intentions.
- All programs, policies, and practices are continually assessed based on their impact on student learning.
- All staff members receive relevant and timely information on their effectiveness in achieving intended results.
What are the 6 Essential Characteristics of a PLC?
Shared mission, vision, values, goals
Educators in a PLC benefit from clarity regarding their shared purpose, a common understanding of the school they are trying to create, collective communities to help move the school in the desired direction—and specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound (SMART) goals to mark their progress.
Collaborative teams focused on learning
In a PLC, educators work together interdependently in collaborative teams to achieve common goals for which they are mutually accountable. The school structure is aligned to ensure teams are provided the time and support essential to adult learning.
“Collaboration is a systematic process in which we work together, interdependently, to analyze and impact professional practice in order to improve our individual and collective results.”
—Adapted from Learning by Doing
Collective inquiry
Teams in a PLC relentlessly question the status quo, seek new methods of teaching and learning, test the methods, and then reflect on the results. Building shared knowledge of current reality and best practices is essential to each team’s decision-making process.
Action-orientation and experimentation
Members of a PLC constantly turn their learning and insights into action. They recognize the importance of engagement and experience in learning and testing new ideas. They learn by doing.
Commitment to continuous improvement
Not content with the status quo, members of a PLC constantly seek better ways to achieve mutual goals and accomplish their fundamental purpose of learning for all. All teams engage in an ongoing cycle of:
- Gathering evidence of current levels of student learning
- Developing strategies and ideas to build on strengths and address weaknesses in that learning
- Implementing the strategies and ideas
- Analyzing the impact of the changes to discover what was effective and what was not
- Applying the new knowledge in the next cycle of continuous improvement
Results orientation
Educators in a PLC assess their efforts based on tangible results. They are hungry for evidence of student learning and use that evidence to inform and improve their practice.
What is DuFour and Eaker Recognition?
DuFour and Eaker Recognition is the name of the three tiers of awards that a school or district can apply for if they have increased student achievement by committing to the PLC at Work process.
DuFour and Eaker Recognition Awards
- Promising Practices
- Model PLC at Work
- DuFour & Eaker Ambassador Model PLC at Work
Solution Tree recognizes schools and districts that have implemented the PLC at Work process and have seen increased student achievement as Model PLC at Work schools and districts. This program has grown to include the Promising Practices tier for schools who are beginning their PLC at Work journey. Likewise, we have a third tier for current Model PLC at Work schools and districts who have continued their PLC at Work journey, the DuFour and Eaker Ambassador Model PLC at Work. These schools and districts have either mentored others to become Model PLCs at Work and/or they have honed their own PLC process and adapted it to work for their building and students in unique ways.
What is DuFour and Eaker Ambassador PLC at Work®?
Dufour and Eaker Ambassador Model PLC at Work schools and districts have achieved and maintained Model PLC at Work status and have successfully completed at least one data update. They continue their journey by mentoring other schools and districts. DuFour and Eaker Ambassador Model PLC at Work schools and districts provide evidence that they support, guide, and serve as a pillar to other schools and districts. See the DuFour and Eaker Ambassador Model PLC at Work page for criteria.
What is a Promising Practices School?
Promising Practices is a solid initial step to becoming a Model PLC at Work school. Promising Practices schools have strong evidence of the foundation required to become a Model PLC at Work and share at least one year of data that shows student achievement growth. The Promising Practices tier is for schools only.
Criteria for Promising Practices status for schools:
- In the developing stage of their PLC at Work process*
- The PLC framework is fully embedded into their culture and day-to-day practices.
- Can provide recent data that shows at least one year of growth in student achievement across main content areas.
What is the purpose of the new Promising Practices tier?
Promising Practices is a milestone that recognizes and celebrates the commitment and hard work in laying the foundation for developing the PLC at Work process in their school. While not required, becoming a Promising Practices school is viewed as an initial step to becoming a Model PLC at Work school.
Our hope is that these schools will continue their PLC journey and apply to become a Model PLC at Work when they are ready.
What is an Ambassador PLC at Work®?
Ambassador PLC at Work schools and districts have achieved and maintained Model PLC at Work status and continued their journey by mentoring other schools and districts. Additionally, they may have also received additional awards and accolades. Ambassador schools and districts support, guide, and serve as a pillar to other schools and districts.
What is the purpose of the new Dufour and Eaker Ambassador Model PLC at Work® tier?
The DuFour and Eaker Ambassador tier is for schools and districts that embody the vision of the late Dr. Richard DuFour—that educators are champions for their students. These schools and districts not only fully embrace the PLC at Work process and strive to be the best they can be for their students—they also embrace the idea of assisting others through the process.
What are the differences among the tiers?
When can I apply?
You are welcome to apply at any time.
What is on the application?
The application will ask for:
- Demographic data (ethnicity and subgroups)
- Student achievement data indicating increased student achievement
- PLC story narrative
- PLC practices
- Awards
- Artifacts and resources
We recommend downloading the What’s Next: Applying for PLC Recognition document for complete information.
How long should my narratives be?
Please note that all word counts below are only suggested; use as many words as necessary to explain your response for each section. Give details and be specific. The narratives should illustrate for the EOE Review Committee your commitment to the PLC at Work process; that you understand the Three Big Ideas, and that you are increasing student achievement by focusing on the Four Critical Questions.
Does it cost money to Apply?
There is no fee to submit your application. The AllThingsPLC.info website is a free resource for educators to learn and grow their PLC practice. It is not set up to accept payments in any form.
Do you still review applications over the summer?
Yes, we still review applications over the summer, but please be aware that our review timeframes may be a little longer.
Also, if you have an application in for review over the summer, we strongly suggest you add additional contact emails to your application.
What if my application is approved over the summer?
If your school or district is approved over the summer, we will contact you via email. We will reach out to all email addresses in the Contacts portion of your application. If we don’t hear from you and believe your school or district is closed for the summer, we will wait to ship your Celebration Box until we hear from you or until school resumes.
We are happy to send your Celebration Box to a home or district address if preferred.
How do I access an application I previously started?
To access a previously started application:
- Sign into your profile
- Click Manage Schools on the blue menu to the right of your screen
- Access your existing application, make the necessary updates, and resubmit your application
How do I add additional contacts to receive communication regarding my application?
You can add additional contact information at any time. To do this:
- Sign into your profile
- Click Manage Schools on the blue menu to the right of your screen
- Click Manage Contacts
- Add additional contact information. These people will be included in communication regarding your application
I am currently a Promising Practices school; when can I apply to become a Model PLC at Work® School?
Current Promising Practices schools may apply to become Model PLC at Work® schools whenever they have three years of data showing continuous improvement.
If I apply to be a Model PLC at Work® and am not approved, do I keep my Promising Practices status?
Yes, if you are a Promising Practices School and apply for Model PLC at Work status but are not accepted, you will still maintain your Promising Practices designation. Note: If not accepted, you will receive a feedback letter from the EOE Review Committee. This feedback will tell you your next steps and where to direct your focus. We encourage you to follow the guidance in your feedback letter and reapply when you’re ready.
I am currently a Model PLC at Work® school/district; when can I apply to become an Ambassador Model PLC at Work school/district?
Current Model PLC at Work schools and districts may apply to become Ambassador schools and districts whenever they feel they have met the criteria, provided their last data update was within the last three years. If your last data update was more than three years ago, we strongly suggest completing a data update first, then proceeding with applying for Ambassador status.
If I apply to be an Ambassador school or district and am not approved, do I keep my Model PLC at Work® status?
Yes, if you are a Model PLC at Work and apply for Ambassador status but are not accepted, you will still maintain your Model PLC at Work designation. Note: If not accepted, you will receive a feedback letter from the EOE Review Committee. This feedback will tell you your next steps and where to direct your focus. We encourage you to follow the guidance in your feedback letter and reapply when you’re ready.
Is it possible to lose my PLC at Work® status?
Yes. Schools and districts can lose status if they:
- No longer practice the PLC process
- No longer see increased student achievement./li>
Who reviews my application?
The Evidence of Effectiveness (EOE) Review Committee is comprised of Solution Tree authors and associates. There are four grade-span teams: elementary, middle, high, and district. Every member on the Review Committee has led their school or district to Model PLC at Work® status, so they understand what is required and have empathy for the hard work you are doing in your buildings.
How long will the review take?
When applications are received, they are added to a queue for review by two Review Committee members. Our goal is to have a response to you no later than six weeks after your submission, but holidays and summers may extend that time.
Response from Review Committee
What happens if I am approved?
If your school or district is approved for any of the three tiers, you will receive the following:
- Email notifying you of approval along with:
- A digital badge displaying the year and school or district
- Sample release for your approved tier
- Celebration Box containing:
- PLC flag for display
- Certificate of Achievement
- Signed letter from CFO giving one free registration to any Solution Tree institute, summit, or workshop.
What Is a feedback letter?
After the initial review of your application, if the EOE Review Committee would like to request additional data or has a question regarding something in your application, they will send a feedback letter. Don’t panic; this is quite common. Often, it can be corrected, answered, and/or added to your application and resubmitted for a secondary review.
Can I be denied?
A school or district may be denied if the EOE Review Committee determines that the application does not meet all necessary requirements. However, you will be provided with a feedback letter and guidance on where to focus your attention as you continue your PLC journey.
There is also a possibility you may be recommended for a different tier. For example, if you applied for Model PLC at Work and your practices are strong, but your data is not where it needs to be, you may be recognized as a Promising Practices school. In this case, you would receive a letter explaining why this decision was made and suggestions on what areas need attention to get to Model PLC at Work status.
How do I maintain my Model status?
We ask that you submit new student achievement data every three years to be reviewed by the EOE Review Committee. We refer to this as a “Data Update.” You are welcome to update your narratives to include your PLC journey for the last three years; however, it is not required. We only require your updated student achievement data, which indicates continued growth.
If approved, you will receive an updated digital badge, a sample press release, and a new Celebration Box, complete with a flag, certificate of recognition, and a signed letter from our CFO giving one complimentary registration to any Solution Tree event.
Do I have to wait three years to submit new data?
No. You do not need to wait three years to submit new data. You are welcome to submit updated data at any time. However, your data is considered current for three years. If you do resubmit earlier than that, it will go to the Review Committee. If approved, your certification date will be updated on the website. If not approved, you will receive a feedback letter and will need to make the suggested adjustments in order to receive approval.
As a result, you would have to work with the committee to regain Model status.
Can I do a data update for Promising Practices?
No. The Promising Practices Tier is intended to be an initial step to becoming a Model PLC at Work®. The next step in a Promising Practices journey is to apply for Model PLC at Work status.
If I currently have Model PLC at Work status, how do I decide whether to submit a data update to maintain my status or submit an application for Ambassador Model PLC at Work® status?
If you feel you have met the criteria for becoming an Ambassador school or district, we would suggest applying for Ambassador status.
The elite Ambassador tier is reserved for current Model PLC at Work schools or districts who demonstrate their commitment to the PLC at Work process by continuously improving even after achieving model PLC at Work status.
In addition, those who desire to receive the Ambassador designation demonstrate a commitment to supporting others on their PLC at Work journey. This could include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Mentor others as they implement PLC at Work processes within their settings.
- Share your school and/or district work by setting up site visits.
- Create video clips of your PLC work in action for Solution Tree’s Ed-Tech tools.
- Advance student achievement for defined subpopulations (SpEd, ELs, and economically disadvantaged).
- Demonstrate unique ways to ensure that all kids are learning at high levels.