Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and School Culture: A Case Study on District-Wide PLC Implementation

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Professional Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore what influence a school district’s (US Mexico border district) transformation to a PLC had on culture. The Type 2 single-case study examined what dimensions of a PLC are evident, how the district approached the change process, and its influence on student achievement.

The findings suggest that; (1) PLC work influenced the development of a PLC; (2) the district is at the implementation phase of the change process; (3) the Superintendent played a key role in PLC implementation, and (4) archival data noted changes in student achievement scores throughout PLC implementation. Overall, the findings suggest that implementation of structural changes influenced the development of a culture of learning and collaboration in the district.

Authors

• Jaime Lopez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Jesus Abrego, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley