Rockford — Four schools in the district have been recognized for their work around increasing student achievement and building collaborative school environments.
Crestwood Elementary, Valley View Elementary, East Rockford Middle School and North Rockford Middle School have been designated as Model Professional Learning Communities at Work by professional development organization Solution Tree. They are four of only 12 schools in the state to achieve the designation, according to the district.
The recognition signifies that teachers, administrators and support staff in these buildings are working collaboratively to “maximize learning for every single child,” said Mike Ramm, assistant superintendent of instruction, and that those effects are measurable and consistent over multiple years.
To earn the designation, schools must use data to demonstrate three years of implementation of PLC concepts leading to improved student outcomes. Concepts Rockford have implemented include carving out intervention time in the daily schedule and streamlining learning expectations for every grade level, Ramm said.
Rockford’s commitment to the PLC process began in the 2019-20 school year; progress was slowed by the pandemic but resumed in earnest in 2021.
Ramm said additional buildings in the district are expected to apply for the designation in the future.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication, talent and collaborative spirit of our staff across all four schools,” Superintendent Steve Matthews said in a statement. “At its core, Model PLC recognition is about educators working together to help every student learn at high levels. We’re incredibly proud to see the systems and practices our staff have built recognized on a national level.”
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