Professional Learning Community (PLC+)

What Is a Professional Learning Community (PLC+)?

A Professional Learning Community (PLC+) is an expanded model of collaborative teacher teams developed by Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey that focuses on improving student learning through evidence, equity, and collective expertise. PLC+ builds on traditional PLCs by adding an explicit emphasis on student voice, educator credibility, and the impact of instructional decisions.

Why PLC+ Matters

PLC+ strengthens teacher collaboration and ensures instructional decisions are grounded in evidence of student learning. By integrating equity and student voice, PLC+ helps teams identify what’s working, address unfinished learning, and ensure all students have access to high‑quality instruction. Schools using PLC+ see stronger alignment, more responsive teaching, and improved outcomes for learners.

Core Components of PLC+

  • Five Guiding Questions: A structured inquiry process focused on learning, evidence, and impact.

  • Equity Lens: Ensures teams consider who is benefiting and who is not.

  • Teacher Credibility: Builds trust, clarity, and high expectations.

  • Student Voice: Centers learners’ perspectives and experiences.

  • Collective Teacher Efficacy: Strengthens shared belief in the team’s ability to improve learning.

PLC+ in Action (Quick Example)

A teacher team reviews student work from a recent writing task. Using the PLC+ guiding questions, they identify which students met the success criteria, where misconceptions occurred, and how instructional adjustments can support deeper learning. The team also considers student feedback to refine next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PLC+ different from a traditional PLC? Yes. PLC+ includes all the collaborative structures of a traditional PLC but adds equity, student voice, and educator credibility as essential elements.

Does PLC+ work in all grade levels and content areas? Absolutely. PLC+ is designed for any team of educators working to improve student learning.

Who developed PLC+? Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey, professors at San Diego State University.

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