ED466028 - The Role of Shared Values and Vision in Creating Professional Learning Communities - ERIC-ED466028 | Content Details

ED466028 - The Role of Shared Values and Vision in Creating Professional Learning Communities

Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC

Subject: Academic Achievement, Educational Improvement, Educational Philosophy, Elementary Secondary Education, Leadership, Learning, Professional Development, School Cuiture, School Personnel, Values

Abstract: Mature and relatively less mature learning communities are examined in this paper to uncover the role shared values and vision have played in professional learning community development. It provides an overview of a 5-year, national study examining how professional learning communities within schools are created; a report of findings gathered from principals and teachers in 18 schools after 1 year of implementation of a school vision; and a description of an explanatory framework that describes the main components involved in developing school vision. Results show that incorporating shared leadership, shared vision, collective learning, supportive conditions, and shared personal practice within the professional learning community is important for student success and school improvement. It is critical to understand that the emergence of a strong, shared vision based on collective values provides the foundation for informed leadership, staff commitment, student success, and sustained school growth. Visionary leadership combined with shared and collaborative strategies provide support for faculty,toinvest time and effort needed to create the school vision. The information'revealedin this paper provides insights for schools as.they work to create a shared vision based on collective values for establishing professional learning communities. (Contains 24 references.).