-
PLC Mondays
Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is a research-based collaborative structure used by educators to continuously learn, improve, and adapt teaching methods to help improve student outcomes. ASD will be implementing this weekly 1 hour structure which will support the District’s Board goals around Reading, Math, and College, Career, and Life Readiness.
What is it? PLC's have been in the Î÷Ê©Ö±²¥APP School District since 2016 at the high school level. Now, school for all grades will start one hour later, ONLY on Mondays. Expanding PLCs districtwide next school year is a big but exciting change. Providing this consistent professional development and collaboration time is a valuable tool that will help teachers and school staff support and adjust to student learning needs. We believe that the hour dedicated to teacher learning and collaboration on Mondays will move the needle for student achievement and greatly benefit all ASD students. PLCs equals improved classroom experiences, which leads to better student outcomes.
Bus transportation will start one hour later on PLC Mondays only. School will end at a regular time.
Families may still drop their student(s) off at the regular start time. This will allow families to have an option for a consistent drop off time every day as we adjust to this change in the student day. While teachers participate in their professional development, other staff members will be onsite to supervise students.
Our partners in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District launched a similar PLC initiative. Here’s a link to learn more about their model:
PLC Mondays FAQs
-
Which schools will have PLC Mondays?
All neighborhood preK-12 schools will start 1 hour later on Mondays.
Some charter and alternative programs will have PLCs, but may have alternate schedules. Please check your school’s website for PLC schedules.
-
When can I drop my student off on Mondays?
If needed, families may still drop their student(s) off at the regular drop-off time. Please contact your school’s main office for details.
Elementary students will be supervised by a combination of before school programs and staff.
Middle and High school students will be supervised by security and staff.
-
What is a Professional Learning Community?
Professional Learning Communities (PLC) are weekly 1 hour collaborative meetings used by educators to continuously learn, improve, and adapt teaching methods. Research-based practices, data analysis and professional collaboration are used to help improve student outcomes.
-
Why are PLCs important and how do they benefit student success/outcomes?
PLCs provide educators with consistent opportunities to collaborate, enhance, and develop common strategies to adjust instructional practices to meet student’s learning needs. Continuous group reflection and discussions using data and evidence-based instructional practices helps improve student outcomes.
This supports the School District’s Board goals around Reading proficiency/Alaska Reads Act, Math proficiency, and College,Career, and Life Readiness.
-
Who else uses PLCs?
-
Currently being used nationally/globally
-
ASD High School and Middle School have PLCs currently
-
Mat-Su started PLCs last year
For more info see the DEED Professional Development website:
-
-
Will the loss of instruction time from PLC Monday’s need to be made up?
No additional days will be added to the calendar. The District will be adjusting curriculum and schedules to accommodate the reduced hour.
-
Will PLCs be made up on Tuesdays if school is canceled on Monday due to inclement weather or holiday?
No. If there is no school scheduled for a Monday or if school is canceled on a Monday, the PLC will not be made up on any other day.
Media
-
- Lauren Maxwell, KTUU "" Published: May 11, 2023
- Morgan Krakow, ADN: "" Published: May 11, 2023
