Professional Learning Community (PLC)
During the 2024-25 school year, collaborative teams of teachers, curriculum/professional development teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and principals will meet most Fridays to answer the four critical questions that drive Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
During this dedicated collaborative time, teams will focus on essential standards and devise effective strategies to ensure students master these standards. They will design assessments to track learning progress and utilize the data to shape instruction and determine the next steps, be it re-engagement for those who haven't mastered the learning or extension for those who have.
The district has embraced this process and will continue to actively support staff in this important work. Our students deserve our best. PLCs provide the framework for all staff to work collaboratively for the success of ALL.
Deer Valley Unified School District is a Model PLC (Professional Learning Community) District! As 1 of 25 globally recognized model districts, DVUSD shows commitment to the PLC @ Work process, implemented PLC concepts for at least 3 years & presents clear evidence of student learning!
When Are PLC Fridays?
Building Capacity with a Model Professional Learning Community Teacher Leader
DVUSD Collaboration Team Cohesion
“Our multi-school collaborative team operates seamlessly. Our productivity stems from the strong rapport and trust we share. Each member has a role that suits their personality, which helps facilitate the flow of our meetings. Our established norms and collective commitments hold us tight to what we want to accomplish. We adhere to these because we want to make our team better, which will ultimately make our students better."
-8th Grade Social Studies Multi-School Team Member
Team cohesion is a critical component for establishing a high-functioning collaborative team. Research demonstrates that collaborative teams work best in schools with highly collaborative environments, a focus on academic achievement, and high levels of collegial trust. Trust is a key concept in community building and collaborative work; research finds a strong correlation between trust and collaboration, where high levels of trust lead to high levels of collaboration.
At the start of this school year, DVUSD collaborative teams have been either developing or re-visiting their foundational framework through collective commitments, norms, and roles. This process involves close collaboration to define the team's identity, principles, and the purpose behind their efforts, which will steer their future endeavors. Establishing and regularly reviewing collective commitments, norms, and roles is crucial for maintaining cohesion. This helps address challenges and ensures meetings stay productive.