• enacted curriculum
• enacted instruction

• alignment to standards
• levels of cognitive rigor
• potential grade inflation

• classroom time usage
• teaching strategies
• custom issues

Professional Learning Communities

Professional learning communities (PLCs) coalesce educators, administrators, and other important stakeholders to discuss, plan, and implement educational processes of proven effectiveness. Professional learning communities should be highly structured and focused on optimizing student learning.

But professional learning communities need solid, precise data to function effectively.

The Standards Company LLC can aid PLCs in their efforts through its curriculum and instructional research and professional development services.

Ruby

Curriculum analysis should always form a topic of discussion for PLCs. However, collecting and analyzing completed student work is time consuming. The Ruby service provided by The Standards Company can remove the logistical barriers to amassing considerable data on the state of the enacted curriculum for PLCs.

For more information, see Ruby

Sapphire

Research demonstrates the paramount role teachers play in student achievement. Classroom observations are the most direct method for obtaining meaningful data about the time usage and use of research-based strategies taking place inside classrooms. Sapphire classroom observations provide an objective, third-party view of classroom environment, allowing PLCs to focus on results and, ultimately, means of improvement.

For more information, see Sapphire

Diamond

Sometimes a complete look at both curriculum and instruction, from top to bottom, benefits PLCs the most. Diamond curriculum management audits provide a comprehensive overview of the entire teaching process, from inception to delivery.

For more information, see Diamond

For related services, see 21st Century Skills and Interdisciplinary Studies.