ERIC Number: ED631926
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 191
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3684-8298-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Professional Learning Communities as a Framework for School Counselor Collaboration and Data Use: An Action Research Study
Southall, Adam R.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The College of William and Mary
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) calls on school counselors to take part in collaborative work experiences using data to address problems of practice. School counselors experience professional isolation leading to underperformance (Elliot et al., 2004; Stone-Johnson, 2015). School structures that lack collaborative experiences for school counselors leads to isolation (Bardhoshi et al., 2014). The purpose of this action research study was to assess the influence of a professional learning community (PLC) on the perceptions of school counselors to perform the elements of a PLC, their use of data to solve problems of practice, and their perceptions of benefits and challenges to collaboration within a PLC (DuFour & Eaker, 1998). This qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of 6 high school counselors in one suburban school district as they took part in one cycle of a multicycle action research PLC to address school engagement. Qualitative data sources included semi-structured interviews, PLC transcripts, and one focus group. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Findings indicate: (a) school counselors perceived themselves as capable of positively contributing to the elements of PLCs, (b) PLCs positively influenced school counselors' data use to make decisions, and (c) school counselors perceived both benefits and challenges to PLC implementation. Results of this study can be used to understand the influence of PLCs on school counselor practices as they move from isolated practice toward comprehensive school counseling practice. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Communities of Practice, School Counselors, Cooperation, Attitudes, High Schools, Data Use, Suburban Schools, Decision Making, School Counseling
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A