Learning Communities- The Florida Department of Education Definition

Learning communities are small groups of faculty who meet regularly to study more effective learning and teaching practices. Schools may have grade level or subject-area planning groups that meet regularly through joint planning time. If the content of these meetings is primarily the logistics of planning for instruction and discussing student needs, they do not constitute a learning community.

These groups are considered learning communities only if they:
• identify new programs or topics to investigate,
• gather research and studies on new approaches,
• share their findings,
• implement and study the effectiveness of new practices,
• share these results with other faculty in the school.

Liaisons, now is the time to initiate your NESS Learning Communities with your on-site Inservice Facilitator.