Page 56 - Learning for All – A Guide to Effective Assessment and Instruction for All Students, Kindergarten to Grade 12, 2013

54 • Learning for All
Figure 9. Moral Purpose: Education for all that raises the bar as it closes the gap
BELIEFS FOUNDED ON THE MORAL PURPOSE OF EDUCATION
• All students can achieve high standards given significant time and support.
• All teachers can teach to high standards given the right conditions and
assistance.
• High expectations and early intervention are essential.
• Teachers need to be able to articulate what they do and why they do it.
(Figure adapted from Fullan et al., 2006, p. 91; Beliefs text from Hill & Crévola, 1999, p. 12)
The Three Big Ideas Guiding PLCs
A Commitment to Ensure Learning for All Students
When systems and schools function as professional learning communities, all educators work collaboratively in a culture of learning to ensure learning for all students and their own professional learning. They work together to close achievement gaps by designing coordinated strategies to ensure that all students receive appropriate and timely assessment and instruction. A successful professional learning community works systematically, addressing the learning needs of all within the entire school community.
Professional learning communities (PLCs) are guided by three big ideas:
• a commitment to ensure learning for all students
• a culture of collaboration
• a focus on results
(Dufour, 2004, pp. 6–11)