Professional Learning Groups (PLG’s)

Duration: 3 days

Program Overview:

This program considers that the ultimate goal of a professional learning group (PLG) can be summed up in three words: improved student achievement. Although the term has grown to encompass a wide variety of concepts and practices, a professional learning group is always a group of people who are motivated by a vision of learning and who support one another toward that end. A PLG: represents a collective effort to enhance student learning; promotes and sustains the learning of all professionals in the school; builds knowledge through inquiry; and             analyses and uses data for reflection and improvement.

Program Objectives:

By the end of this program, you will gain an understanding of the following:

Phase 1 – Review of School Improvement Plan

  • Review priorities
  • Review targets
  • Identify and celebrate successes
  • Identify challenges
  • Establish new priorities following this review

Phase 2 – Familiarization with Framework

  • Determine the scope of the process
  • Review indicators for the Essential Components and Components Selected Locally
  • Ensure a school-wide involvement in the process
  • Ensure regular internal communication regarding the process

Phase 3 – Data Collection and Analysis

  • Collect and analyse data
  • Using the indicators of the framework, identify strengths and areas requiring improvement
  • Prepare a summary of findings and recommendations for improvement

Phase 4 – Improvement Planning

  • Involve all staff and school governing body
  • Identify areas which need improvement
  • Specify high-yield strategies
  • Establish timelines
  • Agree on responsibilities
  • Target resources
  • Include capacity-building needs and focus

Phase 5 – Implementation and Monitoring

  • Identify indicators of progress
  • Ensure monitoring process is in place (Ask: How effective are we in achieving our student learning and achievement goals? What is the evidence? What actions will we take to ensure continuous improvement?)
  • Revise school improvement plan

Methodology:

  • The training and development sessions will be done through practical workshops.
  • Learners will receive a Learner Pack and CD with exemplars and videos.
  • Continuing email and telephonic support is provided at no additional cost. On-site visits will also be conducted.
  • All training will be conducted in English by our trained facilitators who have a proficiency in the language and the subject matter.

Assessment:

  • Evaluating applied experiential activities during the course and on-site action-learning activities documented to demonstrate competence in relation to the skills taught. A certificate of attendance recognised by the South African Council for Educators (SACE) with 24 notional hours workshop time and 24 hours on-site application.