Why CoPs? How do COPs work?

Why CoPs?

WATCH: The Communities of Practice approach:

To sustain and extend the growth of teachers and their practices, it is important to progress PLCs beyond the single school setting. Research has shown that when schools collaborate, it is possible to improve the performance of each school at an above-average rate (Bentley and Cazaly, 2015). Fullan (2008) argues that it is a sign of a school’s vitality when it partners with, seeks external support from and networks with other schools, organisations, and individuals.

As your PLC grows, you may find opportunities to form connections with and support other schools within your Community of Practice who are also implementing the Victorian PLC approach.

Communities of Practice share several common goals and structures with PLCs, including:

A relentless focus on improving student outcomes
A data-based approach to planning and decision-making
A commitment to collaboration

A strong Community of Practice will naturally support the sustainable advancement of PLC practices. In particular, such Communities of Practice will:

Extend membership to all staff within their network
Continually seek to improve teacher practice
Have a long-term vision for the improvement of student outcomes
Share data across the network
Offer support to and collaborate with other schools.

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How do COPs work?

Communities of Practice are built on the pillars of collective efficacy, evidence-based inquiry, and accountability.

Watch - How Networks use the Communities of Practice approach

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