Linda Vanderford's List: PD

The term professional learning community describes a collegial group   of administrators and school staff who are united in their commitment to student   learning. They share a vision, work and learn collaboratively, visit and review   other classrooms, and participate in decision making (Hord, 1997b). The benefits   to the staff and students include a reduced isolation of teachers, better informed   and committed teachers, and academic gains for students. Hord (1997b) notes,   "As an organizational arrangement, the professional learning community is seen   as a powerful staff-development approach and a potent strategy for school change   and improvement."