Schools as Learning Communities: Issues About Change, Volume 4, Number 1

Describes how four principals transformed an urban elementary school in New Orleans into a learning community, with the help of parents, students, and faculty. It's the story of the school's re-creation and the challenges encountered during the process.

This paper discusses the four principals' contributions to the success of John Dibert Elementary School, based on their educational philosophies, goals, and strategies:

• Approach to teaching
• Faculty training and improvement
• Communication and decision-making
• Parent involvement
• Empowerment of staff, parents, and students
• Administrative procedures
• Curriculum and report card redesign

This publication is one of a series of briefing papers called Issues About Change.

SEDL has published several publications about Professional Learning Communities:

• Professional Learning Communities - Communities of Continuous Inquiry and Improvement
• Professional Learning Communities - An Ongoing Exploration
• Multiple Mirrors: Reflections on the Creation of Professional Learning Communities
• Schools as Learning Communities - Issues About Change, Volume 4, Number 1
• Professional Learning Communities: What Are They and Why Are They Important? - Issues About Change, Volume 6, Number 1
• Creating a Professional Learning Community: Cottonwood Creek School - Issues About Change, Volume 6, Number 2
• Assessing a School Staff as a Community of Professional Learners - Issues About Change, Volume 7, Number 1
• Principals and Teachers: Continuous Learners - Issues About Change, Volume 7, Number 2
• Launching Professional Learning Communities: Beginning Actions - Issues About Change, Volume 8, Number 1
• Co-Developers: Partners in a Study of Professional Learning Communities - Issues About Change, Volume 8, Number 2