FMCSD planning for national accreditation

This is a national selection and an elite section. We're gonna put ourselves out there - what do they say, 'You miss every shot you don't take', so we're going to take this shot.

FORT MADISON - A move to be nationally certified as a Professional Learning Community was unveiled Monday night to the Fort Madison School District's board of directors.
Superintendent Dr. Erin Slater said the district will embark on a 3-year effort to be nationally certified as a PLC district.
"The district is preparing to enter into a 3-year journey to become a model for a Professional Learning Community," Slater said Monday night.
"This is a national selection and an elite section. We're gonna put ourselves out there - what do they say, 'You miss every shot you don't take', so we're going to take this shot."
Slater outlined the criteria for becoming a model PLC district which involves working with collaborative teams with clarified specific proficiency standards.
She said the district also needs to have a process to carefully monitor each student's learning.
"Not only are we doing formative assessments, but also summative assessments. It's really about taking evidence of  student's learning and doing something with it."
Other criteria includes a process for  responding when students have difficulty learning, a process for enriching and extending learning for students already proficient in standards. She said that criteria focuses on what is happening during the school day and not before or after work sessions to address students struggling or students excelling.
Professional learning communities tend to serve two broad purposes: first, improving the skills and knowledge of educators through collaborative study,  exchange, and discussion, and second,  improve the achievement, and attainment of students through stronger teaching skills and leadership.
Slater said the district has to show a commitment to the PLC concepts, implement concepts for a minimum of three years, and show clear evidence of improved student learning.
The district has been engaged in PLC learning for the past six years and now they are looking at obtaining national recognition for the efforts over the next three years.