Richard DuFour - Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work

THIRD EDITION

A Handbook for Professional
Learning Communities at Work

Richard DuFour

Rebecca DuFour

Robert Eaker

Thomas W. Many

Mike Mattos

Copyright 2006, 2010, 2016 by Solution Tree Press

Materials appearing here are copyrighted. With one exception, all rights are reserved. Readers may reproduce only those pages marked Reproducible. Otherwise, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the publisher.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016934126

Solution Tree

Jeffrey C. Jones, CEO

Edmund M. Ackerman, President

Solution Tree Press

President: Douglas M. Rife

Senior Acquisitions Editor: Amy Rubenstein

Managing Production Editor: Caroline Weiss

Senior Production Editor: Suzanne Kraszewski

Copy Editor: Sarah Payne-Mills

Proofreader: Elisabeth Abrams

Text and Cover Designer: Rian Anderson

For Becky, to whom I dedicate this book, my lifes work, and every day for the rest of my life.

Rick DuFour

For Rick, my husband and soul mate. Thank you for inspiring me to grow and learn by doing in every aspect of our amazing life together.

Becky DuFour

To the memory of my parents for their constant support and unconditional love.

Bob Eaker

To Rick: Both personally and professionally and in so many ways, you have been my mentor, coach, advocate, and friend. Thank you for the privilege of being a fellow traveler on this incredible journey!

Tom Many

To a visionary leader and true friend, Jeff Jones. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts in promoting the PLC process and for your support of my work.

Mike Mattos

We must acknowledge the tremendous support we have received for this project from the Solution Tree family. Suzanne Kraszewski is the skillful editor who polished our prose; Rian Anderson created the cover and designed layouts for the book. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and energy they devoted to the books development.

In addition, each of us owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Jeff Jones, the CEO of Solution Tree. Jeff is more than a publisher. He is one of the most ethical, service-oriented business leaders we know. He has been an ardent advocate for spreading the professional learning community (PLC) process across North America and the world, and his passion and skill have given our ideas a platform we could not have built on our own. Finally, he is a friend in every sense of the word. Every author should have the opportunity to work with a publisher like Jeff Jones. More importantly, everyone should know the joy of having someone like him for a friend.

Visit go.SolutionTree.com/PLCbooks to download the
free reproducibles in this book.

Richard DuFour, EdD, was a public school educator for thirty-four years, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. During his nineteen-year tenure as a leader at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, Stevenson was one of only three U.S. schools to win the United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award on four occasions and the first comprehensive high school to be designated a New America High School as a model of successful school reform. He received his states highest award as both a principal and superintendent.

A prolific author and sought-after consultant, Dr. DuFour is recognized as one of the leading authorities on helping school practitioners implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work process in their schools and districts.

Dr. DuFour was presented the Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award from the University of Illinois and was the 2004 recipient of the National Staff Development Councils Distinguished Service Award.

To learn more about Dr. DuFours work, visit AllThingsPLC ( www.allthingsplc.info ).

Rebecca DuFour has served as a teacher, school administrator, and central office coordinator. As a former elementary principal, she helped her school earn state and national recognition as a model PLC. She is coauthor of numerous books, articles, and a video series on the topic of PLCs.

Serving as a consultant for more than fifteen years, Becky brings more than thirty-five years of professional experience to her work with educators around the world who are implementing the PLC process in their own organizations.

Becky is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award of Lynchburg College.

To learn more about Beckys work, visit AllThingsPLC ( www.allthingsplc.info ).

Robert Eaker, EdD, is professor emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also served as dean of the College of Education and as the university interim vice president and provost. Dr. Eaker is a former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. He has written widely on the issues of effective teaching, effective schools, and schools and school districts functioning as professional learning communities.

Dr. Eaker is a frequent speaker at national, regional, and state meetings and regularly consults with school districts throughout North America.

To learn more about Dr. Eakers work, visit AllThingsPLC ( www.allthingsplc.info ).

Thomas W. Many, EdD, works with teachers, administrators, school boards, parents, and other education stakeholders on organizational leadership, implementation and change, and PLC at Work strategies and concepts.

Dr. Manys long and distinguished career includes twenty years of experience as a superintendent. He has also served as a classroom teacher, learning center director, curriculum supervisor, principal, and assistant superintendent.

As former superintendent of Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96 in Illinois, Dr. Many used the tenets of the PLC at Work process to ensure high levels of learning for all students. He played a key role in preparing elementary and middle-grade students to enter Adlai E. Stevenson High School, a nationally recognized PLC. Under Dr. Manys leadership, student achievement in District 96 improved every year for twelve consecutive years. More than 95 percent of all students now meet or exceed state standards. The district has been especially effective in helping students with special needs improve their academic performance. It has become recognized as one of the premier elementary school districts in the United States. A dedicated PLC practitioner, he is a compelling and sought-after speaker.