Lakewood Elementary Recognized as a Model PLC School

TOMBALL — Lakewood Elementary becomes the seventh Tomball ISD campus recognized by Solution Tree as a Model PLC School for their sustained success in raising student achievement. The school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students.

PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:

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

“I am so proud of the hard work, dedication, and tenacity of our teachers and staff to have earned the designation of a Professional Learning Community Model School,” said Deanna Porter, Lakewood Elementary Principal. “To receive this honor, our school has had a relentless focus on continuous improvement in student achievement. During our weekly collaborative team meetings, our teachers analyze data and research best practices, which are used to make instructional improvements. We continually focus on each individual child and provide rigorous instruction to make sure each child achieves their goals.”

“Lakewood Elementary maintains a relentless focus on learning on campus for all students and staff,” said Dr. Lee Wright, Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Innovation. “The system in place to gather formative assessment data and use that to drive instruction, intervention, and extension activities is tight and effective. The administrative team has been proactive about using Global PD to build in bite-sized professional learning throughout the school year and extended the activities to the Summer months for their instructional leadership team.”

Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC 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 submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.

According to the Champions of PLC at Work™, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”

Recognized model PLC schools are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Tools for team collaboration, articles and research about PLCs, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than 20 years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed.

LES joins Timber Creek Elementary, Creekside Park Junior High, Oakcrest Intermediate, Creekview Elementary, Tomball Junior High and Canyon Pointe Elementary as Tomball ISD campuses recognized as PLC Model Schools.

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 20,200 students at 22 campuses.