Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Professional Learning Communities at School Early Release Days Since the start of the school year, the teachers in Middlesboro Independent School District have met on Wednesday afternoons every two weeks to participate in Professional Learning Communities. Professional Learning Communities have become quite commonplace in schools across the state in response to the more rigorous standards set by the state. Teachers meet in groups (PLCs) that are focused on the achievement of students in certain grade levels or in certain content areas (like math). During these meetings teachers review individual student work and consider different approaches to increase the learning of their students. They also look at results from different types of assessments to make sure that what they are teaching fits the curriculum that is determined by the state through academic standards. Although Kentucky no longer follows the requirements of No Child Left Behind, in order to opt out, Kentucky had to develop a state-wide approach that met or exceeded the requirements of the federal program. The state system, called Unbridled Learning, has required many new changes in Kentucky schools. There are new standards, new types of assessment, a focus on college/career readiness, and required teacher networks that teachers must attend regularly. Middlesboro teachers must focus on individual achievement, how their students’ growth compares with schools state-wide, how achievement within different student groups compares, whether their students meet college/career readiness targets set by the state, and increasing graduation rate. The time spent in PLCs has given teachers a chance to complete the work that is necessary for these new challenges to be met. This work will continue throughout this school year but next year the time scheduled for these groups will change. In order to respond to parents concerns about meetings during the school day, next year Middlesboro will not have early release days but they will continue with PLCs. A committee of teachers will be established to determine a schedule for PLC work next year.

About Me

Dr. Rita Cook, Superintendent of Middlesboro Independent School District, has over 35 years of experience in education. She has taught all grade levels and been an administrator for the last 22 years.