Mission Road Elementary Named National Model PLC School

CARTERSVILLE, GA — Mission Road Elementary School becomes the 10th Bartow County school to be named a Model Professional Learning Community for its sustained success in raising student achievement.

"I am very excited that my staff is being recognized for doing the right work for our Mission Road Elementary School students,” Principal Sherrie Hughes said. “They have worked countless hours to increase student achievement for all learners. I am proud that we are working to build a foundation where every student will develop the academic, creative, and social skills needed to become responsible, contributing members of the community.”

The school’s successful implementation of Professional Learning Communities was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. Professional Learning Communities are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students.

The three big ideas of a Professional Learning Community call upon educators to:

1. Focus on learning.
2. Build a collaborative culture.
3. Create a results orientation.

“We began the PLC process more than three years ago by forming a guiding coalition of teacher leaders,” Hughes said. “This group created mission and vision statements along with collective commitments to create a shared sense of purpose. Then, MRES began to focus on the three big ideas: learning, collaboration, and results. Our teachers met twice-weekly in grade level collaboration teams to choose essential standards, create common assessments, and focus on improving achievement. We worked to create a culture where teachers have common goals and are mutually accountable for all students.”

Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to Professional Learning Community concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture, and then submit its application for consideration by the review committee.

“This recognition requires that we continue to see ongoing improvement in student achievement,” Hughes said. “Our staff will use collaboration time to focus on student needs based on the most current data. We will set goals with our students that allow them to feel empowered and encouraged to reach their full potential. As we perfect the Professional Learning Community process, we will close learning gaps for all.”

Mission Road Elementary School, Adairsville Elementary School, Euharlee Elementary School, Clear Creek Elementary School, Pine Log Elementary School, Emerson Elementary School, Cass Middle School, Adairsville Middle School, Cloverleaf Elementary School, and White Elementary School now join the Bartow County School System as they celebrate Model Professional Learning Community School and Model Professional Learning Community District status.