Includes bibliographical references.

Overview of PLCs -- Recurring themes of professional learning communities and the assumptions they challenge / Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, and Rebecca DuFour -- What is a professional learning community? / Richard DuFour -- Critical questions of PLCs -- Putting it all together: standards, assessment, and accountability in successful professional learning communities / Douglas Reeves -- Assessment FOR learning: building a culture of confident learners / Rick Stiggins -- Masters of motivation / Jonathon Saphier -- Turning book burners into lifelong learners / Roland S. Barth -- Creating PLCs -- No turning back: the ironclad case for professional learning communities / Mike Schmoker -- Leading for transformation in teaching, learning, and relationships / Dennis Sparks -- Placing PLCs in a broader context -- More effective schools: professional learning communities in action / Lawrence W. Lezotte -- Implementing PLCs in the Chicago Public Schools / Barbara Eason-Watkins -- Professional learning communities Writ Large / Michael Fullan -- A call to action -- Closing the knowing-doing gap / Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, and Rebecca DuFour.