Welcome to an adventure! If you are a teacher who is interested in developing your classroom repertoire and increasing your students' achievement and motivation, you are in for a treat. Professional learning communities are a vehicle for connecting and improving teacher practice and student outcomes. Formative assessment is an approach to assessment and instruction that increases both students' motivation and achievement. Before we launch into the logistics, the how-to's, and the work involved in professional learning communities, it's important to focus on this promise of adventure. Joining this adventure is why you are here and part of this professional learning community. Welcome!

How is a professional learning community defined? In this workbook, a professional learning community (or PLC) is defined as a group of four to six teachers or administrators who do the following:

• Meet regularly
• Work on shared goals and related tasks between meetings
• Accomplish shared goals