On Common Ground: The Power of Professional Learning Communities - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1932127429 ISBN 13: 9781932127423

Publisher: Solution Tree, 2005

Synopsis

On Common Ground is the first book in the Leading Edge series. The Leading Edge is the undefined space where leaders venture to impact change it is the place where transformation begins. The Leading Edge series unites education authorities from around the globe and asks them to confront the important issues that affect teachers and administrators the issues that profoundly impact student success. The experts contributing to this anthology do not prescribe one method to transact change. They embrace the mission, trusting that teachers and administrators the true change leaders will venture to the Leading Edge to embrace the challenges and opportunities that will guarantee the success of their students. On Common Ground provides a valuable tool for educators who are doing the hard work of improving their schools. This resource offers teachers and administrators a coherent conceptual framework and specific, practical strategies for moving forward with their improvement efforts. Any listing of North America s leading authorities on school improvement would include the authors in this book. These authors agree on many of the best strategies for raising student achievement and support the premise that students would be better served if educators: Embrace learning rather than teaching as their school s mission Work collaboratively to help all students learn Use formative assessments and a focus on results to foster continuous improvement Assume individual responsibility to take steps to create such schools Although they stand on this common ground, clear differences emerge regarding their perspectives on the most effective strategy for making professional learning communities the norm in North America. The differences, however, focus on the means rather than the end. These educational leaders have found common ground in expressing their belief in both the desirability and the power of professional learning communities.

About this title

About the Author

Editors:

Richard DuFour, EdD, in a distinguished career spanning four decades, was a public-school educator, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. A prolific author and consultant, he was recognized as one of the leading authorities on helping school practitioners implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process in their schools and districts. Over the course of his career, he was the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Professional Learning Communities at Work™, Learning by Doing, and In Praise of American Educators.

During his 19-year tenure as a leader at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, Stevenson was one of only three schools in the nation to win the United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award on four occasions and the first comprehensive high school designated a New American High School as a model of successful school reform.

Robert Eaker, EdD, is professor emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also served as dean of the College of Education and interim vice president and provost. Dr. Eaker is a former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. He has written widely on the issues of effective teaching, effective schools, helping teachers use research findings, and high expectations for student achievement. Dr. Eaker was instrumental in the founding of the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame and was a regular contributor to the Effective Schools Research Abstracts series.

Rebecca (Becky) DuFour, MEd, served as a teacher, school administrator, and central office coordinator. As a former elementary principal, she helped her school earn state and national recognition as a model Professional Learning Community at Work™ and as a National Blue Ribbon School. She coauthored twelve books, numerous articles, and several video resources on the topic of PLCs.

Serving as a consultant for more than sixteen years, Becky brought over thirty-six years of professional experience to her work with educators around the world who are implementing the PLC process in their own organizations. Becky was the recipient of the Evelyn P. Bickham Award, Outstanding Undergraduate Alumni Award of Lynchburg College. She consulted with professional organizations, schools, districts, universities, and departments of education.

To learn more about Becky's work, visit AllThingsPLC.info.

Contributors: Roland Barth, Rebecca DuFour, Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, Barbara Eason-Watkins, Michael Fullan, Lawrence W. Lezotte, Douglas Reeves, Jonathon Saphier, Mike Schmoker, Dennis Sparks, and Rick Stiggins.

Review

"The stakes are high, but success could enable us to reach levels of quality, equity, and achievement."

--Mike Schmoker, February, 2005

Edition details

• Publisher: Solution Tree
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1932127429
• ISBN 13: 9781932127423
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272
• Editor: Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, Rebecca DuFour