School-Based Professional Learning Communities for Teachers' Actions and Practices Empowerment in the Cyprus Education System

• In Event: Professional Development School Research

Abstract

Teachers’ professional learning approaches, in the centralized public educational system of Cyprus, are taking steps towards the creation of school-based Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) as a more effective and participatory model. This paper aims to present features of the characteristics formed in schools that participated in a Teachers’ Professional Learning Support Programme in 2021-2022. Data was collected from 104 teachers via an online questionnaire. Analysis showed the characteristics that teachers value most within PLCs and the elements that were taken into consideration for implementing actions and practices based on the school needs assessment. It also revealed differences between teachers at different school types. Policy implications regard the support of PLCs towards more effective ways for promoting teachers’ professional learning.

Authors

• Christina Stavrou, Cyprus Pedagogical Institute
  Presenting Author

• Pavlina Hadjitheodoulou, Cyprus Pedagogical Institute
  Presenting Author

• Efi Paparistodemou
  Presenting Author