Chapter+2

Chapter 2: Creating a Culture of Inquiry: Harnessing Data for Professional Learning

Donna: Like the first chapter, this selection begins with the point that "data alone do not answer questions; instead, they provide decision makers with additional information to think with..." . The authors, Earl and Katz, emphasize the importance of PLCs as a vehicle for "informed professional judgment that results in changes in classrooms and schools."

On page 21, the authors remind instructional leaders that we have the "responsibility for creating opportunities for teachers to get comfortable with not knowing, to embrace new learning as a routine part of their work, to participate in the process of examining their own beliefs and practices, and to use data as an entry point for their conversations." This has proved challenging with some groups of teachers perhaps more than others.

On page 27, the authors discuss the idea of using "critical friends" as a means of "challenging assumptions...in a nonjudgmental and helpful way." I had heard about this at a TESOL workshop some time ago and would like to learn more about this approach.

Warren: " 'Real' school improvement comes from within and is about the ongoing and sustainable learning of students and ALL those inside and outside schools who care about pupil learning". This includes the adults involved with the students in AND out of school.

Sandra: p.14 "...referencing to a large body of research suggesting that conditions for improving learning and teaching are strengthened when teachers collentirely consider evidence about current state of affairs, question ineffective teaching routines, examine new conceptions of teaching and learning, find generative means to acknowledge and responds to difference and conflict, and engage actively in supporting one another's professional growth.". I would love to see my PLCs work in this capacity.

P. 20. "The power of the idea of a PLC is that members of the group engage together in challenges of practice so that their understanding of those challenges grows deeper and is moreunified."

// I have to say, this chapter was much hard to read than chapter 1. I enjoyed chapter 1 and found this one to be dreadful. //