The use of professional learning community protocols to improve professional learning community and professional development practice

Literature suggests that effective professional development is an essential component in promoting (a) change in school leader practices, (b) teachers' practices and learning, and (c) student learning. Literature also suggests that a professional learning community is a reflective practice where educators examine evidence about teacher practice and student outcomes to make changes to improve student and teacher learning. The purpose of this study was to research if utilizing a professional learning community (PLC) protocol would improve the professional learning community practice as evidenced by research-based effective professional development (PD) and PLC standards. This study explored effective professional development dimensions and effective professional community dimensions. The specific research questions for this study were 1) How do professional learning communities improve the current professional learning community practice at The J&BG; School? and 2) How does a professional learning community practice, where PLC protocols are implemented, better meet effective professional development standards? This action research study involved 50 certified educational staff. Twenty-five of the 50 certified staff were randomly selected to participate in the treatment of using PLC protocols while the other 25 staff resumed their current PLC practice without the utilization of PLC protocols. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Data analysis revealed that the implementation of PLC protocols improved the effectiveness of the PLC practice specifically in the dimensions of a) Shared and Supportive Leadership, b) Shared Values and Vision, c) Collective Learning and Application, and d) Shared Personal Practice. Data analysis also revealed that the implementation of PLC protocol improved the Learning Community dimension of effective PD as well as the overall total scores measuring effective professional development. Implications from this study suggest that PLC protocols can be a tool to move a PLC practice closer to meeting effective PLC and effective PD standards.