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How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don't Learn

Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don't Learn examines the question, What happens when, despite our best efforts in the classroom, a student does not learn?
A professional learning community creates a school-wide system of interventions that provides all students with additional time and support when they experience difficulty in their learning. The authors describe the systems of interventions, including Adlai E. Stevenson High School's Pyramid of Interventions, created by a high school, a middle school, and two elementary schools. The authors also discuss the logistical barriers these schools faced and their strategies for overcoming them.

"The results are incredible. This is the future of professional development." -- Rick Stiggins, Assessment Training Institute, Inc."Whatever it Takes provides the stories, the vision and hope for all schools dedicated to the 'learning for all' mission."
— --Lawrence W. Lezotte, National Consultant and Commentator Effective Schools Products


About the Author
As the former principal and superintendent of Adlai Stevenson, a 4,000-student suburban high school, Richard DuFour helped the school become one of the most recognized and celebrated schools in America.
As the former principal of Boones Mill, a 400-student rural elementary school, Rebecca DuFour helped her school receive the Governor's Award for High Achievement.

As the former executive vice-president and provost of Middle State Tennessee University, Robert Eaker was cited by Phi Delta Kappa as one of the nation's leading experts in translating school research into practice.

As director of student services at Adlai Stevenson for 25 years, Gayle Karhanek was the 2000 winner of the "Those Who Excel" award from the Illinois State Board of Education.