In a PLC educators work voluntarily and collaboratively in an on-going systematic process to achieve common goals and better results for the students they serve. PLCs provide an opportunity for educators to enhance the professional development experience because the educators discuss specifics related to their students.

Teams of 6-12 educators are formed which meet to have collaborative conversations about goals, concerns, strategies, pacing, and results regarding their students. They should meet regularly, usually once a week. Each educator has an opportunity to facilitate one meeting to speak about his/her practice and/or concerns with peers.

The participants, not the administration, determine the PLC groups. They can be across grades and subjects.

It is voluntary; no one can be required to participate. However, PLC groups are quality Professional Development and will be one of the future main sources of in- service credit. Miami Dade County Public School System supports participation in a PLC as voluntary and educators are not to be mandated to participate.

This is determined by the number of members in the team. If there are 10 members, they will meet once to plan and organize the PLC. Then, the team will meet 10 times, one for each member for a total of 11 meetings. If the PLC only has 6 members the total will be 7 meetings. Each member will be responsible for leading a meeting to discuss with the other members concerns and/or classroom practice.

Approximately one hour.

Since participation in a PLC group is voluntary, you have no other obligations.

MPP may be awarded; however, the educator must be present at each meeting to earn MPP. No make-up work is permissible. The number of MPP awarded is determined by the following formula: 2 independent hours + number of contact hours which is the number of hours the team will meet. All paperwork required is submitted to the Center for Professional learning after the final meeting has occurred.