Schools as Professional Learning Communities Collaborative Activities and Strategies for Professional Development

`Schools as Professional Learning Communities is an extraordinary achievement. It brings together what a long-time practitioner can see and sense. It is an illumination of an exciting path to a constantly improving instructional community′ - S David Adler, Superintendent (retired), Bergen County Schools, Newton, New Jersey

Much has been written about professional learning communities as part of the change and restructuring process, but Sylvia M Roberts and Eunice Z Pruitt manage to move the discussion from theory to practice. Their book features such practitioner-friendly items as learning activities (more than 25), short cases and scenarios, tips for teachers and administrators, information about online resources, reproducible forms, and worksheets. The authors cover professional development strategies that build community such as classroom observation, mentoring, collaborative assessment of student work, professional portfolios, peer coaching, team teaching, and teacher leadership.

For teachers and administrators focused on improved student achievement, school change, equity, and teacher leadership, this is a must-have resource.