The Key to Revolutionizing Education


    As I was reading the first few chapters of Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work I found this statement about how policymakers view education and the role teachers have in improving our schools.

    Conservatives may contend that educators won't improve their schools, while liberals argue that educators can't improve their schools; but both groups seem increasingly resigned to the fact that efforts to reform schools are doomed to fail. (p. 51)

    The data the authors cite is positive,
    but it is largely based on test scores
    and graduation rates.
    Something is missing.
    Of course, the authors go on to use statistics to argue that there is evidence of widespread school improvement, despite the hopeless outlook many policymakers have. While these statistics are upbeat and fun to read, they are based on assessments: test scores, graduation rates, and how they measure up to socioeconomic data. There is something missing here: the human element. The biggest reason education continues to move forward is because of the determination of educators themselves. There is no single reform movement, technology tool, law, or regulation that is going to "revolutionize" education. Education will continue to grow, reexamine itself, make adjustments, and move forward because that is what good educators do every single day as they step into their classrooms.

    I do think there is a deeper message here about PLCs. The authors define a PLC this way:

    Educators committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve. Professional learning communities operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators. (p. 14)

    Educators who are focused on learning, their students' and their own, are the reason education continues to improve. We aren't satisfied to use a lesson that worked once, in the same way, year after year because we know we won't have the same students year after year. We design, implement, reflect, tinker, and redesign all over again to meet our students' needs. As a result, each year we get better.

    PLCs can help that forward progress of education because it provides an opportunity to go through this continuous process of self-improvement with other educators. Teaching is a lonely profession, and PLCs provide an opportunity to change that,

    Here's one of my favorite YouTube videos about the role of technology in education reform. I think it helps explain why PLCs are a good approach to improving teacher quality. The video, like the assumption behind PLCs, insists that teachers are the most important factor for any student. We should provide teachers with the policies and tools they need, but we must remember that teachers are the element of education every student really needs. Enjoy.



    Author's Note: As I mentioned in a previous post, I am engaging in my own personalized summer PD that includes books, conferences, online engagement, and more. This is a reflection based on the first chapters of one of my summer reads. A cohort of my colleagues and I are studying professional learning communities (PLCs). This post is a part of my participation in that summer work.

    Comments

    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      ReplyDelete
    2. Education is a necessary and important thing for every child and student. The kids are future of any nation and we need to look forward to them. The government should set a level of fees to every school and university, cause due to less salary of people they are unable to send their child in the schools. That is the reason the education level is decreasing day by day, If you have any query, then please qanda.typicalstudent.org ask the question about the education system.

      ReplyDelete
    3. get assignment writing uk each assignment is written by a fully qualified academic writer

      ReplyDelete
    4. Hasten Chemical is a team of professionals who work to maximize the bottom line results of its clients. As a wholesaler of chemical products, Hasten provides unconditional commitment to excellence in quality, that will provide consistent results, and make us the partner of choice to help produce and maintain growth of Products and Service Companies.

      ReplyDelete
    5. We provide stone installation Edmonton and marble tile installation Edmonton for specialty flooring in the area. You will always find the best deals and information to make a wise choice. As stone contractors in Edmonton, we provide sales and service teams expertly trained to help you choose the stone, granite, marble, or other flooring or wall covering you have in mind to complement your decor, your lifestyle, and your budget. When you’re considering tiling an entire bathroom or a kitchen floor or even a modest new backsplash or replacement, depend on the best stone installers Edmonton to provide a superior job doing your tile or granite wall installation.

      ReplyDelete
    6. Every T-shirt will arrive in a slim fold-over envelope, with information about the month’s featured winery or vineyard. We offers specialty gift wrappingShirt Club T-shirt gift ideas

      ReplyDelete
    7. this is the season of leather jackets as it is winter nowadays everyone is looking for the best leather jackets so here i am telling you the best website for best leather jackets, visit for the best leather jackets. here you can get all jackets regardless of fashion or celebrity jackets. visit to get the best one. bomber b3 sheepskin shearling leather jacket

      ReplyDelete
    8. One of them is the way in which present day tech is revolutionizing education

      ReplyDelete
    9. A successful system aligns and focuses its policies and programmes on high academic standards achievement by students.

      ReplyDelete
    10. Positive site, where did you get the information for this posting? I've read a few articles on your website now, and I love your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. You can apply for an online e visa Turkey and obtain your Turkey e visa in only a few clicks. To proceed with the request, you must have a valid email address and your travel visa.

      ReplyDelete
    11. there is a best leather jacket store 2021 named by boneshia.com which provide all the latest leather jacket designs. we make things of the bases of the requirements of the customers and make best things. we make things for the best quality and best designs for our customers for the best pricing. everything at boneshia is the best . visit to our website to get the best leather stock.there is a best leather jacket store 2021 named by boneshia.com which provide all the latest leather jacket designs. we make things of the bases of the requirements of the customers and make best things. we make things for the best quality and best designs for our customers for the best pricing. everything at boneshia is the best . visit to our website to get the best leather stock.dark green wool coat

      ReplyDelete
    12. For guests staying at Casa Ballena, Cabo San Lucas Villas provides 24-hour on-call complimentary concierge services for whatever needs arise during your Cabo vacation rental experience. No need or concern is too trivial for Cabo San Lucas Villas – our number one concern is your vacation experience! vacation rentals cabo san lucas

      ReplyDelete
    13. Nobody wants to start the day discovering that their car’s air conditioning is not working, the bad air-conditioning not only effect your driving comfort it also affect your car performance as well? Depending on the make and model of your car, a broken belt in the air conditioner can cause more problems for your vehicle. Do not wait until it’s too late! If it’s as simple as recharging the refrigerant or installing a new compressor, then ALSA Automotive Repair will help keep you cool and your care cool. Signs that your vehicle may have a malfunctioning air conditioning system car servicing center abu dhabi

      ReplyDelete
    14. Looking for the best car detailing in Ottawa? Look no further than Envirosteam! We're a leading car detailing company that provides impeccable car care services. From cleaning, polishing, and waxing to tire repair and restoration, we Ottawa Car Detailinghave everything you need to keep your car looking and running like new. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

      ReplyDelete

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    Three Social Media Starter Tips

    Teaching 19th Century Ideologies with 21st Century Technologies

    Guest Post: A Guide to Using Instagram in the Classroom