Why Structured PLC Cycles Are Essential for Instructional Alignment

Instructional inconsistency exists in nearly every secondary school. Teachers care deeply about their work, yet classrooms often show significant variation in pacing, rigor, and expectations. My action research identified these inconsistencies in Algebra 2 instruction at my school, not due to a lack of effort, but to the absence of structures that support collaboration.

To address this, I designed and implemented a structured PLC cycle, which included:

  • A standardized PLC agenda
  • Shared collaboration norms
  • An instructional artifact rubric
  • Regular analysis of student learning evidence
  • A baseline → mid-cycle → post-cycle routine

These structures shifted PLC meetings from “updates” to intentional, evidence-based collaboration.

Current Books by this Author

Teaching With Evidence

Research supports this approach. DuFour and Mattos (2023) emphasize that high-functioning PLCs rely on predictable, collaborative routines centered on learning. Hattie (2023) also highlights clarity and collective teacher efficacy as major drivers of student achievement.

A structured PLC cycle does not constrain teachers. It gives them a shared process so they can focus their professional judgment where it matters most: on students and instruction.

Collaborative PLCs

Welcome to Teaching With Evidence, Sunrise High School’s action research blog. Explore structured PLCs, collaborative inquiry, and practical strategies to strengthen instruction and student outcomes.

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About our PLCs

Our study explores how collaborative structures support teachers in planning, reviewing student work, and sharing practices across departments to raise instructional quality.

A polished, modular shelving unit filled with categorized binders in shades of taupe, ivory, and cool gray, each labeled with precise, sans-serif tags such as "Lesson Plans," "Assessment Tools," and "PLC Agendas." The binders are interspersed with neatly stacked minimalist notebooks and a few understated metallic desk organizers. This storage system stands against an uncluttered pearl-white wall, with frosted glass panels diffusing soft afternoon daylight that accentuates the clean lines and geometric arrangement of materials. The mood is composed and orderly, emphasizing efficiency and the sustained support of collaborative work. Framed from a slightly elevated side angle, the composition uses rule of thirds and sharp focus, consistent with a modern educational office. The image visually communicates the essential organizational supports required for long-term collaborative practice.
An immaculate, well-organized conference table made of light oak, with neatly arranged, color-coded folders and spiral notebooks fanned out in precise order. In the center is a matte silver laptop, its screen reflecting ambient light, surrounded by smooth, neutral-toned writing accessories. The table is situated in a glass-walled meeting room with clean architectural lines, structural beams visible in the background. Soft mid-morning daylight pours in through broad windows, creating gentle, diffuse highlights and understated reflections on the tabletop. The mood is focused and professional, exuding clarity and organization. Shot from an eye-level perspective with balanced, symmetrical composition and sharp focus throughout, the style embodies photographic realism and a contemporary, corporate aesthetic. This scene powerfully represents the structure and intentionality of teacher collaboration in a professional learning community.
A close-up of equally spaced, transparent acrylic desk dividers on a spotless light maple communal table, with colorless sticky notes neatly adhered to the divider's surface, each containing succinct, handwritten ideas in crisp black ink. Around the divider, slim, neutral-toned pens and highlighters are methodically aligned. The background fades into a blur of muted office cabinetry and geometric storage units, giving an organized, contemporary feel. Overhead LED panel lighting bathes the workspace in bright, even illumination, eliminating harsh shadows and highlighting the clarity of the materials. Photographed from a tight, low-angle macro perspective with minimal depth of field, the composition spotlights focused collaboration in a modern setting. The style is hyper-clean, structured, and professional, underscoring the fine details of collaborative dialogue within a PLC.

What You’ll Find

Explore how Sunrise High School’s structured PLC model supports teacher collaboration, consistency in instruction, and a culture of collective efficacy through shared practice and reflective inquiry.

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A close-up of equally spaced, transparent acrylic desk dividers on a spotless light maple communal table, with colorless sticky notes neatly adhered to the divider's surface, each containing succinct, handwritten ideas in crisp black ink. Around the divider, slim, neutral-toned pens and highlighters are methodically aligned. The background fades into a blur of muted office cabinetry and geometric storage units, giving an organized, contemporary feel. Overhead LED panel lighting bathes the workspace in bright, even illumination, eliminating harsh shadows and highlighting the clarity of the materials. Photographed from a tight, low-angle macro perspective with minimal depth of field, the composition spotlights focused collaboration in a modern setting. The style is hyper-clean, structured, and professional, underscoring the fine details of collaborative dialogue within a PLC.

Practice insights

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The Power of PLCs: Building a Collaborative School Culture

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are more than just meetings—they are collaborative spaces where educators come together, share insights, and grow collectively. PLCs transform schools into environments where teachers feel supported, valued, and motivated to improve their craft.

When schools embrace the PLC model, instructional practices are strengthened through regular discussion and reflection. Teachers bring their individual expertise to the table, collaborate on lesson design, and analyze student outcomes to make informed decisions that benefit every learner.

Ultimately, PLCs do more than support teachers—they drive real gains in student achievement. The collective focus on continuous improvement ensures that every student is known, challenged, and supported on their educational journey.

Key Benefits of PLCs

Unlocking the Power of Instructional Alignment

Instructional alignment is the process of ensuring that what teachers intend for students to learn (the curriculum), how they teach it (instruction), and how students are assessed (assessment) are all in sync. When these elements are aligned, every aspect of classroom practice is focused on clear learning goals, and students are given coherent opportunities to master essential knowledge and skills.

Why does this matter for student achievement? Research shows that well-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment strengthen learning because students experience consistent expectations and targeted support throughout their educational journey. Instructional alignment eliminates gaps between what is taught and what is tested, making it easier for all students—including those who struggle—to know what success looks like and how to achieve it.

Instructional alignment is not just a task for individual teachers—it thrives in collaborative environments like Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), where educators work together to clarify outcomes, design common assessments, and reflect on teaching strategies. Through regular collaboration, PLCs can identify misalignments, share resources, and develop unified approaches that increase equity and effectiveness across grade levels or departments.

Practical Steps to Improve Instructional Alignment

  • Start with the end in mind: Define clear, priority learning objectives for each unit or lesson based on standards and student needs.
  • Collaboratively map curriculum: Work with colleagues in PLCs to agree on essential content, skills, and pacing for your courses.
  • Design aligned assessments: Ensure that tests, quizzes, and projects directly measure the learning objectives—avoiding questions or tasks unrelated to target outcomes.
  • Plan instructional strategies purposefully: Select teaching methods and activities that explicitly support students in mastering the identified goals.
  • Analyze student work regularly: Use PLC time to examine assessment results together, looking for trends and gaps in understanding.
  • Adjust based on evidence: Respond to data by modifying instruction, reteaching, or differentiating support to address areas where students are struggling.

Why Administrators Matter: The Key to Effective PLCs

Professional Learning Communities thrive not on good intentions alone, but on the strength of leadership. School administrators set the tone and provide the scaffolding that allows PLCs to flourish, inspiring staff to work collaboratively in pursuit of student success. Without visible and consistent support from leadership, even the best PLC initiatives can fade into routine and lose their purpose.

How Administrators Can Support PLCs

  • Establish a clear vision—Communicate why PLCs matter and connect the work to broader school goals.
  • Provide dedicated time—Prioritize regular, protected meeting times for every PLC team.
  • Remove barriers—Solve scheduling issues, address workload concerns, and advocate for resources that make collaboration possible.
  • Model collaboration—Join PLC meetings, ask guiding questions, and be a co-learner alongside teachers.
  • Celebrate growth—Acknowledge team successes and highlight the impact of collaborative practices on student learning.

The Ripple Effect: Positive Impact for All

When administrators champion PLCs, they unlock the collective expertise of their staff. Teachers feel valued and empowered to test new ideas, reflect on practice, and lift each other up. Most importantly, students benefit from a culture where adults work together to adapt and improve instruction, ensuring that every child feels seen and supported. Lasting school improvement starts with strong leadership—leading and learning, together.

The Power of PLCs: Building a Collaborative School Culture

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are the cornerstone of effective school improvement.

What are PLCs?

PLCs foster collaboration, reflective practice, and collective responsibility for student achievement.

Key Benefits of PLCs

By building a strong PLC culture, schools create sustainable systems for continuous improvement.

About the Author – Dmitri Morenike

I am a secondary mathematics educator, instructional leader, and researcher dedicated to bridging the gap between research and practice. My work focuses on: Through my action research, I implemented a Structured PLC Cycle at my school to address variability in Algebra 2 instruction. The model included: * A standardized PLC agenda * Shared collaborative norms * An instructional artifact rubric * A data cycle with baseline, mid-cycle, and post-cycle analysis This blog documents that work and shares tools, reflections, and resources so other educators can adapt these ideas for their own contexts.

  • Strengthening Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
  • Improving instructional alignment across classrooms
  • Supporting teacher self-efficacy and reflective practice
  • Using mixed-methods action research to drive school improvement
  • Designing equitable, coherent learning experiences in Algebra 2 and beyond.