REL Southeast developed this facilitator's guide on the topic of mathematical problem solving for use in professional learning community (PLC) settings. The facilitator's guide is a set of professional development materials designed to supplement the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide, Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in Grades 4…

This qualitative multiple case study sought to understand staff members' perceptions of the components of an effective and sustainable professional learning community. The Professional Learning Community Assessment questionnaire and interviews were the instruments utilized to attain data. The study's results allowed the researcher to identify…

Rubrics can be used to give students targeted feedback on their writing and, therefore, teachers should be able to use them as a type of formative assessment to guide writing instruction. This article describes an exploratory study of how three teachers provided instruction for fourth, fifth, and seventh graders with learning disabilities and…

This paper investigated the strategic devices that can be used to enhance the accounting cash journals content knowledge (ACJCK) of Grade 9 economic and management sciences (EMS) teachers. The study was qualitative, with three participants selected from one rural school in the Thabo-Mofutsanyane education district. The interviews were used to…

The purpose of this applied research study was to strengthen Tier I instruction within seventh and eighth-grade mathematics classrooms. This applied research study uses three elements; professional learning communities, consistent content-specific professional development, and increased student achievement to strengthen Tier I instruction in…

One of the major challenges in educational reform is supporting teachers and the profession in the continual improvement of instruction. Research-practice partnerships and particularly networked improvement communities are well-suited for such knowledge-building work. This article examines how a networked improvement community with eight…

Learning networks for school improvement are a powerful structure for educators to expand their knowledge and improve their practice, and when networks include members with diverse experiences and perspectives, the results can be particularly effective. But how can network facilitators ensure that members are learning from each other and…

In response to recent reforms to English language education in secondary schools in Iran, this study investigated how a small collaborative professional learning community prompted shifts in teachers' practices. The study relied on Engeström's professional learning intervention to examine the practices of three junior high school teachers. Through…

Bilingual education is burgeoning in Asia, and most bilingual practices are impacted by national language policies. However, top-down policy implementation and bottom-up practices may spark mismatches, constraints, or possibilities. Taiwan was selected as a research context to investigate the perceptions of administrators and teachers (including…

Fractions remain one of the most difficult topics to convey to students. Thus, employing professional development programs known for improving the teaching and learning process, such as lesson study, is deemed necessary. This study aims to assess and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the implemented research lesson using the Mathematical…

The purpose of this study was to research the perceptions of teachers concerning the implementation and effectiveness of professional learning communities in a middle school in a rural school district in North Carolina. The data were gathered using the Professional Learning Communities Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R) survey and individual one-on-one…

Professional Learning Communities are an important means toward the goal of improving schools so that students can learn at high levels. Professional Learning Communities, when well-implemented, have a laser-focus on learning, work collaboratively, and hold themselves accountable for results. In this article, the central concept of…

Noting the lack of resources to meet face-to-face, most notably time, a significant body of research has investigated the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to replace face-to-face interactions of teacher professional learning communities (PLCs). Equally noted is the research on social constructivist theory that supports social…

In this article, the author highlights the methodology, analysis, findings, and limitations of Marsh, J., Bertrand, M., & Huguet, A. (2015), "Using data to alter instructional practice: The mediating role of coaches and professional learning communities," "Teachers College Record," 117(4), 1-40. This exploratory research…

Despite recognized gains in student achievement in the United States, the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and non-economically disadvantaged students expands. Understanding the larger context of student learning is incumbent upon school leaders who must consider the impact of socioeconomic status, residency, and social…