The Relationship Between Student Achievement and Professional Learning Communities at the Middle School Level

The Relationship Between Student Achievement and Professional Learning Communities at the Middle School Level PDF Author: Michael S. Burde
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 139

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Book Description
For nearly two decades, schools throughout the United States and beyond have utilized the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model to foster teacher collaboration in hopes of improving student achievement outcomes. At the turn of the century, much of the research suggested a positive relationship between student achievement outcomes and the implementation of PLC’s in the school setting. The more recent research suggests little to no relationship between PLC’s and student achievement outcomes. In an effort to bring clarity to the conflicting research, data was collected from a sample of 12 schools which included 275 teachers and nearly 6,000 students. Teacher survey data was collected using Olivier, Hipp, and Huffman’s (2010) Professional Learning Community Assessment – Revised (PLCA-R) survey instrument, which deconstructs PLC’s into six elements. Student state assessment data in mathematics and reading in grades seven and eight was also collected. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statically significant differences between the 12 buildings in both PLCA-R and state assessment data; therefore, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to determine whether any of these differences could be attributed to any of the six PLCA-R elements. After controlling for the effects of student and school-level covariates, HLM analyses revealed that none of the variance in student achievement data could be attributed any of the six PLCA-R elements. The analyses also indicated low socioeconomic status had a profound impact in explaining student achievement variance. Future studies should consider a multi-region or multi-state sample to capture more variation between buildings. Moreover, future researchers would be wise to consider a six to ten point Likert scale to capture what may potentially be a larger degree of PLC implementation variance.

The Relationship Between Student Achievement and Professional Learning Communities at the Middle School Level

The Relationship Between Student Achievement and Professional Learning Communities at the Middle School Level PDF Author: Michael S. Burde
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 139

Get Book Here

Book Description
For nearly two decades, schools throughout the United States and beyond have utilized the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model to foster teacher collaboration in hopes of improving student achievement outcomes. At the turn of the century, much of the research suggested a positive relationship between student achievement outcomes and the implementation of PLC’s in the school setting. The more recent research suggests little to no relationship between PLC’s and student achievement outcomes. In an effort to bring clarity to the conflicting research, data was collected from a sample of 12 schools which included 275 teachers and nearly 6,000 students. Teacher survey data was collected using Olivier, Hipp, and Huffman’s (2010) Professional Learning Community Assessment – Revised (PLCA-R) survey instrument, which deconstructs PLC’s into six elements. Student state assessment data in mathematics and reading in grades seven and eight was also collected. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statically significant differences between the 12 buildings in both PLCA-R and state assessment data; therefore, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to determine whether any of these differences could be attributed to any of the six PLCA-R elements. After controlling for the effects of student and school-level covariates, HLM analyses revealed that none of the variance in student achievement data could be attributed any of the six PLCA-R elements. The analyses also indicated low socioeconomic status had a profound impact in explaining student achievement variance. Future studies should consider a multi-region or multi-state sample to capture more variation between buildings. Moreover, future researchers would be wise to consider a six to ten point Likert scale to capture what may potentially be a larger degree of PLC implementation variance.

Relationships Among Professional Learning Communities, Trust, and Their Perceived Effects on Student Achievement in Georgia

Relationships Among Professional Learning Communities, Trust, and Their Perceived Effects on Student Achievement in Georgia PDF Author: Herbert Alexander Betts
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between professional learning community (PLC) characteristics and levels of trust, and their impact on student academic achievement in fifth and eighth grade mathematics, based on Georgia's state academic test. This research was designed to answer the following questions: is student academic achievement impacted by perceived levels of PLCs? Is trust a determining factor in the implementation level of PLCs? Do schools that exhibit high levels of trust, and characteristics of PLCs, have higher student academic achievement scores? Is there a difference between middle and elementary schools in regards to student achievement when examining the effects of PLC implementation and level of trust? Data were collected from 59 elementary and middle schools in Georgia using Hord's (1996) School Professional Staff as a Learning Community Questionnaire (SPSLCQ) and the Omnibus T-Scale (Hoy & Tschannen-Moran, 2003). Student achievement data were obtained from the Georgia Department of Education website. Data were analyzed through correlations, stepwise backward regressions, and independent t-tests using SPSS 20.0. Results indicated that there is a strong relationship between trust and professional learning communities and that higher levels of trust in clients (students and parents) have an impact on student academic achievement. Results also indicated in this study that professional learning communities were not a significant predictor of student academic achievement; however they may have an indirect impact on achievement through the relationship with trust.

Professional Learning Communities at Work

Professional Learning Communities at Work PDF Author: Richard DuFour
Publisher: Solution Tree
ISBN: 9781879639607
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Provides specific information on how to transform schools into results-oriented professional learning communities, describing the best practices that have been used by schools nationwide.

Reculturing Schools as Professional Learning Communities

Reculturing Schools as Professional Learning Communities PDF Author: Jane Bumpers Huffman
Publisher: R&L Education
ISBN: 1461653827
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
This important work documents and examines evidence of efforts taking place in rural, urban, and suburban Pre-K-12 schools that are actively engaged in creating professional learning communities (PLCs). Literature is reviewed that defines and identifies the distinguishing dimensions of PLCs. A five-year, federally funded research study is explained including the methodology and demographics of the six study schools and a synthesis of the 64 interviews. A PLC organizer (PLCO) is introduced, which realigns with Shirley Hord's original 1997 research. The organizer provides the framework to explain the five PLC dimensions and related critical attributes. The PLCO also merges Fullan's model, Phases of Change (1985), which includes initiation, implementation, and institutionalization. The authors provide extensive evidence of the progressive development of a PLC from initiation to implementation using exemplars and non-exemplars from interviews that either hinder or facilitate creating and sustaining PLCs. A new assessment tool, the Professional Learning Community Assessment (PLCA), is also presented and can be used for diagnosis and evaluation of schools as they work toward school reform efforts. Readers are also presented with information that connects professional learning community work to a new approach to school improvement. Five case studies are included that can be used in schools and university classrooms for the purpose of engaging educators in reflection, open dialogue, problem finding, and problem solving. This first-hand documented information provides readers with unique issues as they wrestle with the challenges of transforming schools into organizations that meet diverse students needs. Lessons learned from this problem-based learning can easily transfer to the readers' own experiences and schools. The authors conclude by highlighting significant findings, reviewing the most recent related research that addresses sustaining such efforts, and offering suggestions for school leaders to

Building School-based Teacher Learning Communities

Building School-based Teacher Learning Communities PDF Author: Milbrey Wallin McLaughlin
Publisher: Teachers College Press
ISBN: 9780807746790
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
Building on evidence that school-based teacher learning communities improve student outcomes, this book lays out an agenda to develop and sustain collaborative professional cultures. It provides an inside look at the processes, resources, and system strategies that are necessary to build vibrant school-based teacher learning communities.

Relationships Among Perceptions of Professional Learning Communities, School Academic Optimism, and Student Achievement in Alabama Middle and High Schools

Relationships Among Perceptions of Professional Learning Communities, School Academic Optimism, and Student Achievement in Alabama Middle and High Schools PDF Author: Amanda Hitson Cassity
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description
The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among perceptions of professional learning communities, school academic optimism, and student achievement in Alabama middle and high schools. Quantitative data were collected through online surveys and hard copy surveys during the spring of 2012. The study was driven by research questions involving the relationship between teachers' and principals' perceptions that their school is a learning community and the level of academic optimism in those schools; the relationship between teachers' and principals' perceptions their school is a learning community and the level of student achievement; the comparison of school levels with teachers' and principals' perceptions; and the joint contribution of the perceptions of professional learning communities (PLCs) and academic optimism on student achievement. Two surveys were used: the School Professional Staff as Learning Community Questionnaire (SPSLCQ) and the School Academic Optimism Survey (SAOS), measuring participants' perceptions of their schools as learning communities and participants' perceptions of the level of academic optimism at their schools, respectively. Seven hundred three teachers and administrators from 59 schools across the state of Alabama were surveyed. Data were compared using correlations, t-tests, and regression analyses. Results confirmed findings from prior research regarding the relationship between academic optimism and student achievement. In addition, evidence showed that there is a positive, significant correlation between the perceptions of PLCs and academic optimism. Results of this study give school leaders tools with which to address the factors that lead to improved teacher efficacy and academic emphasis and thus increased student achievement.

Powerful Designs for Professional Learning

Powerful Designs for Professional Learning PDF Author: Lois Brown Easton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Teachers
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description


Learning Together, Leading Together

Learning Together, Leading Together PDF Author: Shirley M. Hord
Publisher: Teachers College Press
ISBN: 9780807744116
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
Increasingly the education world is recognizing that the development of learning communities is an effective means for improving schools without increasing the budget or adding new programs. This indispensible volume offers practical advice gathered from 22 schools (elementary, middle, and high schools) that have successfully modeled or are creating professional learning communities.

A Middle School's Journey from Improvement Required Towards Professional Learning Communities

A Middle School's Journey from Improvement Required Towards Professional Learning Communities PDF Author: José Antonio Herrera
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Educational change
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The focus of this research study was to better understand the development of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) culture within an urban middle school campus and to analyze if the intervention, intended to develop a campus PLC culture, had any positive or negative impact on student achievement. This mixed-methods research study utilized pre and post surveys and interviews with campus educators to delve into the perceptions of the development of a PLC culture within the middle school campus. Furthermore, student academic performance was explored through the analysis of state academic performance reports.The first significant finding of this study was that the results of the concurrent method of data analysis affirmed that, potentially because of this intervention during the 2018-2019 academic school year, the middle school of this study did commence the development of a professional learning community culture. The second significant finding was that based on the data analyzed of student performance for the three previous academic years, student achievement did increase academically when accounting all students and all contents. Furthermore, both math and English language arts had the lowest percentage of students not meeting grade level standards since 2016. Finally, the largest subpopulation within the school campus, English Learner students, demonstrated large gains at 23 percentage points over the last three years in the academic performance tier of approaching grade level or above. This increase in academic performance by the students did ultimately lead to the campus performance rating to increase positively, as measured by the state of Texas.

Professional Learning Communities Impact on Student Achievement

Professional Learning Communities Impact on Student Achievement PDF Author: Jan L. Hamilton
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781303226014
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 214

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Book Description
"This study examined the impact of the Professional Learning Community model on student achievement in the state of California. Specifically, the study compared student achievement between two school types: Professional Learning Community schools and Non Professional Learning schools. The research utilized existing API scores for California schools compiled by the California Department of Education for the 2007-2008 school year. The Academic Performance Index (API) scores for 136 schools districts in the study was retrieved and examined along with the following additional data: English-language learner, special education status, ethnicity (African American, Hispanic-Latino), and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Academic Performance Index (API) is a yearly state performance measure was downloaded for all schools partaking in this study. Elementary, middle and high schools API scores were compared along with specific subgroups: Hispanic, English Learner, African American, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and special education students. Results indicate that Hispanic and English Learner sub groups at the Elementary and Middle school level for Professional Learning Community Schools academic achievement was significant. At the high school level Hispanic and English language Learner sub groups academic achievement was significant for the Non Professional Learning Community schools."--Abstract, p. 1.