Schools in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 have received plenty of accolades over the years, including having the majority being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, the highest annual award given by the U.S. Department of Education.
And now, The Lane School, which was built in 1956 and has a Blue Ribbon Award on its resume, has earned District 181’s first Model PLC (Professional learning community) at Work School honor.
The recognition is given by Solution Tree, a professional development company and publisher of educational material.
The Lane School was one of 12 Illinois schools to receive the recognition this year.
The schools earning the Model PLC at Work School distinction do so for embracing high levels of learning for all students as the reason the organization exists and the fundamental responsibility of those who work within it.
Jeffrey Alstadt, District 181’s communications director, said the Model PLC at Work process is a school improvement framework that gives very clear targets.
“To earn the designation of Model PLC at Work School, a school must demonstrate a commitment to developing a highly collaborative environment for at least three years and have clear evidence of improved student learning,” Alstadt said. He said schools implementing a more collaborative process are committed to four essential elements: shared vision and goals, collective inquiry and action, evidence-based decision-making, and ongoing professional learning.
District 181 Superintendent Hector Garcia said The Lane School being recognized as a Model PLC at Work School acknowledges the school’s commitment to continuous improvement and its focus on student growth and achievement.
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“I am excited that all our schools are on this journey and incredibly proud that the Lane School is the first of what we expect will be multiple Model PLC at Work School awards in District 181,” Garcia said. “This is a testament to the dedication of the staff, students, and parents, who have all worked together to create a school where everyone is learning and growing.”
Alstadt said that while all of the district’s schools are unique in that they are neighborhood schools, staff at all schools all share in the belief that high levels of collaboration help improve student learning.
“While we are thrilled that the Lane received this award, we are looking forward to sharing the amazing work focused on collaboration taking place in each of our schools over the next few months,” he said.
Alstadt said The Lane school submitted its application last spring as a Model PLC at Work School.
“We have also had other schools applying and revising their applications,” he said. “Similar to the National Blue Ribbon Award, we foresee the district being awarded multiple PLC Model Schools distinctions.”
Alstadt said District 181 has been working on continuously improving its collaboration efforts. “The application process for becoming a Model PLC at Work School at the Lane was simply the first step in sharing what has been taking place throughout our district for the past few years,” he said. “The application is rigorous, time-consuming, and requires schools to provide documentation of their progress in the four essential elements.”
While the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and the Model PLC at Work process are recognition programs for schools excelling in education, there are some key differences between the two programs, Alstadt said. Schools are eligible for the The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award by demonstrating high levels of academic achievement or progress in closing achievement gaps.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.