Teachers holding Model PLC Banner

On June 1, 2023, Concrete Primary  School was designated as a “Model PLC at Work” school by Solution Tree.

Concrete Primary School became the first primary school and the third overall school in the district to receive this designation.

Powdersville, SC 6/1/23 — Concrete Primary School in Anderson School District One was recently recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students.

PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:

1.   Focus on learning.

2.   Build a collaborative culture.

3.   Create a results orientation.

Responding to news of the recognition, Principal Sherry Padgett  said, “We are incredibly proud to be named a Model PLC school! This recognition is a testament to the hard work and continued efforts of our entire faculty and staff. The journey to becoming a Professional Learning Community requires everyone to collaborate in order to improve student learning. We are very excited for our students as they are our reason for this work.

Anderson One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker added, “On behalf of our Board of Trustees and District Administration, we are very proud of Concrete Primary for  this achievement. Teachers working in collaborative teams is a powerful tool to ensure that students learn at high levels. This approach encourages teachers to help each other and their students to reach their full potential.”

Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.

According to the Champions of PLC at Work®, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”

Recognized model PLC schools are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Tools for team collaboration, articles and research about PLCs, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than twenty years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed.