Effect of professional learning communities on teachers and students: reporting updated results and raising questions about research design

Selcuk Doğan, Alyson Adams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

This manuscript is a review and critical analysis of professional learning communities (PLCs) research using 13 empirical international studies. Our findings confirm what previous reviews have found: participation in PLCs resulted in improved teacher practice and increased student achievement. In this review, we provide detailed and specific examples of what has improved in teacher practice, and how impact on students has been documented. However, we raise concerns about the design of current PLC studies as there were methodological issues that limited the ability to interpret results. Despite promising evidence about the effects of PLCs on teachers and students, we articulate specific directions for future research designs that will improve the quality of PLC studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)634-659
Number of pages26
JournalSchool Effectiveness and School Improvement
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2 2018

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Education

Keywords

  • Community of practice
  • literature review
  • professional development
  • student achievement
  • teaching practice

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