Networked learning communities: A powerful school improvement strategy for school leaders!Drawing on their work with schools in North America and England, the authors demonstrate how linking professional learning communities across school or district boundaries creates networked learning communities (NLCs) that can share professional knowledge. Through a sample school narrative, the book illustrates how NLCs can significantly improve instruction, increase student performance, and promote deep and sustained change. This resource examines: Collaborative inquiry as a process that challenges teachers' thinking, generates new learning, and fosters trusting relationshipsFormal and informal leadership roles in NLCsHow NLCs support systematic data analysis and accountability

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors1. Why Networks? Why Now? It's About Learning Networks: A Powerful Organizational Tool Time for Reflection2. How Networked Learning Communities Work What Are Networked Learning Communities? How NLCs Work: The Theory of Action Using NLCs to Focus Local PLCs The Anatomy of a NLC: A Refined Theory of Action Time for Reflection3. Establishing a Clear and Defensible Focus Focus Foremost Evidence-Based Focus From a School Focus to a Network Focus Time for Reflection4. Collaborative Inquiry to Challenge Thinking and Practice The Importance of Relationships From Inquiry to an Inquiry Habit of Mind From Relationships to Deep Collaboration Getting to Powerful Collaborative Inquiry Time for Reflection5. Leadership in Networked Professional Learning Communities Roles of Formal Leaders Roles of Informal Leaders Time for Reflection6. From Student Learning to Teacher Learning Towards Focused Collaborative Inquiry Collaborative Inquiry for Teacher Leaders Within-School Focused Professional Learning: Collaborative Inquiry for Teachers Time for Reflection7. Using the Network to Support Professional Learning for Leaders Collaborative Inquiry and Focused Learning for Leaders Using Critical Friends to Promote Inquiry and Focus Efforts From Collaborative Inquiry to Instructional Leadership Actions Time for Reflection8. Sustaining Networked Learning Communities Sustaining Collective Understanding Sustaining Professional Learning Sustaining and Broadening Leadership Sustaining Powerful Networked Learning Communities Time for ReflectionReferencesIndex