Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement [Perfect Paperback]

Richard Dufour (Author), Robert Eaker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

Professional Learning Communities at Work presents research-based recommendations drawn from the best practices found today in schools nationwide for continuously improving school performance. Coming from the perspectives of both a distinguished dean of education and one of America s most widely acclaimed practitioners, this resource provides specific, practical, how-to information about transforming schools into results-oriented professional learning communities.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Richard P. DuFour was a public school educator for 34 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He served as the principal of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois from 1983 1991 and as superintendent of the district from 1991 2002. During his tenure, Stevenson became what the United States Department of Education has described as the most recognized and celebrated school in America. Dr. DuFour is the author of eight books and more than 40 professional articles, and for almost a decade, a quarterly column for the Journal of Staff Development. He was the lead consultant and author for the ASCD s seven-part video series on principalship and is the author of two other videos, How to Build a Professional Learning Community and Through New Eyes: Examining the Culture of Your School. He was the first principal in Illinois to receive the Distinguished Educator award, the state s highest honor as both principal and superintendent; was named one of the top 100 school administrators in North America by Executive Educator magazine; was presented the Distinguished Scholar Practitioner award from the University of Illinois; and was the 2004 recipient of the National Staff Development Council s Distinguished Service award. He consults with school districts, state departments of education, and professional organizations throughout North America on strategies for improving schools. Dr. Robert Eaker, Ed.D., is the former executive vice president and provost at Middle Tennessee State University and former fellow with the National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. Dr. Eaker has written widely on the issues of effective teaching, effective schools, helping teachers use research findings, and high expectations for student achievement. Dr. Eaker has spoken at numerous national meetings held by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and National Center for Effective Schools Research and Development. He was also chosen by Phi Delta Kappa for the People in Educational Evaluation and Research interview series. He regularly consults with school districts throughout the nation regarding school improvement issues with content that is grounded in current research and that also addresses the concerns and problems of contemporary school practitioners. Drs. Eaker and DuFour co-authored Creating the New American School: A Principal s Guide to School Improvement and Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don t Learn (with Rebecca DuFour and Gayle Karhanek). Their book, Getting Started: Reculturing Schools to Become Professional Learning Communities, co-authored with Rebecca DuFour, has sold over 53,000 copies since its release in March 2002. Drs. Eaker and DuFour are also co-editors of On Common Ground: The Power of Professional Learning Communities, a collection of essays by leading educational authors and consultants.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Solution Tree; 1 edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879639602
• ISBN-13: 978-1879639607
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Professional Learning Communities at Work (Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement), June 5, 2006

By 

Coach Toach "Coach T" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement (Perfect Paperback)

Professional Learning Communities at Work (Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement) by Dr. Richard Dufour and Dr. Robert Eaker, is a well-written/user-friendly piece of literature. This book may be useful as a text for graduate and/or post-graduate level students who are studying and/or working within the area of education, administration, and/or curriculum and instruction. It is also an excellent resource to have if you are dealing with staff and/or curriculum development. The basic premise of the book goes about showing how (via PLC's (Professional Learning Communities)/Small Learning Communities) school staff and administration can work collaboratively to help change, redefine, and/or shape their school's mission and goals. Through this teaming process and through the steps/best practices the authors suggest; school improvement, cultural change, and positive curriculum development and implementation can more likely be achieved.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practices from some of the best schools in the country, March 6, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement (Perfect Paperback)

The collaborative work of Richard DuFour (Superintendent of Adlai Stevenson High School District 125, Lincolnshire, Illinois) and Robert Eaker (Dean of the College of Education, Middle Tennessee State University), Professional Learning Communities At Work: Best Practices For Enhancing Student Achievement offers the reader informed and informative information on how to transform any private or public school into a results-oriented "professional learning community" based upon practices from some of the best schools in the country. Professional Learning Communities At Work covers curriculum development, teacher preparation, school leadership, professional development programs, school-parent partnerships, and assessment practices. Of vital interest to education professionals, Professional Learning Communities At Work is completely accessible and highly recommended reading for parents and other non-specialist general readers with an interest in improving their community schools and school systems.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars PLC, July 14, 2009

By 

Cap (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement (Perfect Paperback)

As a professional educator I should have fallen in love with this book, I like the concepts of PLC and incorporate the ideas into the campus that I work for. But, the book is repeative and I got bored with it quickly.