Using Professional Learning Communities for the Development of Shared Governance

Charlie Sweet, Eastern Kentucky University
Hal Blythe, Eastern Kentucky University
William Phillips, Eastern Kentucky University

Abstract

Among the many challenges of professional (faculty, administration, and staff) development is the implementation of shared governance. We propose a model involving professional learning communities that we are experimenting with in our College of Education. This new model provides faculty with decision-making power, a sense of cooperation and communication with the administration, compensation for their effort, a budget, and a large dose of satisfaction. Furthermore, this model could be effectively transferred to other university units.