Measurement instruments for assessing the performance of professional learning communities

For more than a decade education practitioners have promoted the professional learning community (PLC) as an effective way to provide professional development to teachers. As more PLCs are established in schools and districts nationwide, education stakeholders--researchers, practitioners, administrators, and policymakers--are interested in evaluating the performance of PLCs. Stakeholders want to know more about PLCs' contributions to a range of outcomes, including teacher and administrator professional development, instructional practices, school culture, and, ultimately, student learning and achievement. This tool compiles 49 instruments for measuring key performance indicators of professional learning communities for teachers. It is intended as a resource for researchers, practitioners, and education professionals who seek solid evidence as the basis for planning, implementing, and evaluating teacher professional learning communities. The following are appended: (1) Literature search methodology and analysis; (2) Logic model for professional learning communities; (3) Deciding which instruments to use; and (4) Professional learning community measurement instruments. A list of references for professional learning community profiles is included.