Professional Learning Communities at Bronx Charter School for ChildrenProfessional Learning Communities (PLCs) are thriving at The Bronx Charter School for Children (BCSC) because of the teachers’ shared goal of improved student performance. PLCs are an integral component of the charter school’s performance-based teacher incentive system. The formula for BCSC’s incentive system combines teacher evaluation, based on the Danielson Group’s Framework for Teaching, and the results of state tests, including classroom and grade level results. A teacher’s participation in PLCs connects directly to the fourth domain of the Danielson tool, specifically Professional Responsibilities, which examines professional growth and development and reflecting on teaching.Prior to participation in PICCS, BCSC teachers convened weekly grade level meetings to address upcoming events or other issues pertinent to the school or a particular grade level. Over the last few years, these weekly meetings adopted the more formal consultancy protocol (or structure) in order to focus the discussion on a specific issue brought to the group by one of its members. The teachers’ responses to PLCs have been overwhelmingly positive. They view the PLC as a “free and safe environment where they can improve their craft.” The PLC provides support without “backlash” or “pressure to be perfect” because every participant is required to offer a dilemma for discussion. Participation in the PLCs breeds collaboration and teamwork among the teachers as they work together to meet the needs of their students. Building supervisors or administrators do not participate in the PLCs in order to maintain the integrity of the group and allow teachers to discuss concerns openly. Participation in the group fosters leadership skills and gives teachers a “taste of other jobs in the school building” which encourages career growth. As BCSC continues to develop and expand PLCs, the school continues to address ways to ensure that all group sessions feel authentic and explore issues thoroughly. In addition to the weekly grade level meetings, BCSC created heterogeneous PLCs comprised of educators from across grade levels and disciplines. This development grew out of requests from participating teachers. In the future, BCSC may adopt new protocols to further challenge the groups to study and discuss topics more completely. |
Evolution of PLCs at Bronx Charter School for Children
BCSC’s Top 10 Reasons why PLCCs are Important!
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