Peer Review &

Professional Learning Communities

The best of the “best practices” are those that have been tried, tested and perfected in the classroom. It is for this reason that PICCS has made "peer review" a central component of our school improvement engine. Building from the New York State Academy of Teaching and Learning (NYSATL) work of the mid-1990s on documenting and disseminating best practices, PICCS has established a comprehensive Peer Review program in which educators:

• Document learning experiences in an 8-step documentation process.
• Peer review one another's learning experiences at the school and PICCS-wide levels.
• Use peer feedback to modify and improve learning experiences.
• Ultimately approve learning experiences as "ready for replication".
• Share "ready for replication" learning experiences with other educators within and beyond the PICCS consortium.

In 2008, through a grant from the New York State Charter Dissemination grant program, PICCS schools began to deepen this Peer Review model by creating "Professional Learning Communities" (PLCs) within their schools. PLCs are communities that meet regularly to provide the kinds of support necessary to make the formal process of Peer Review an effective tool. Read more about PLCs and the NYS Charter Dissemination grant program, known as 2DILE >>

Learn more about the PICCS Peer Review:

PICCS Peer Review Process
PICCS utilizes a two-level peer review process that incorporates a school-level and project-wide series of reviews.

Model Peer Review Video
PICCS is developing a series of training videos to help teachers conduct peer reviews. Our first video that decpicts a model peer review is available to view over the web or by DVD order from the PICCS office. View now>>

Learning Experiences - Ready for Replication!
Teachers who participate in a PICCS Peer Review prepare a description of their Learning Experience by addressing eight core components as defined by the New York State Academy of Teaching and Learning.

PowerPoint Overview of PICCS Peer Review framework
This PowerPoint explains the PICCS Peer Review framework and introduces the roles and responsibilities of Peer Review Coordinators.

NYSATL Peer Review Program
Download a PDF about the New York State Academy for Teaching and Learning (NYSATL) peer review process, which forms the foundation for the PICCS peer review program.