Solution Tree is a professional development company and publisher of educational material for K–12 educators. Founded in 1998, the company provides services and products that include books, videos, conferences, workshops, consultation, and online courses.[1] Solution Tree authors and consultants provide guidance to schools and districts on topics such as professional learning communities, response to intervention, educational assessment, and Common Core State Standards.[2][3]
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Distribution | Worldwide |
| Key people | Jeffrey C. Jones, D. G. Elmore, Ed Ackerman |
| Publication types | Academic books, videos, online courses |
| Nonfiction topics | Education, professional development, leadership |
| Official website | www |
Support of PLCs
editSolution Tree provides training, consultation, and resources to help schools and districts implement the "PLC at Work" process.[4] The process focuses on three concepts: ensuring that students learn, creating a culture of collaboration, and producing results.[5] It was first introduced in 1998 with Professional Learning Communities at Work by Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker.[6] The implementation handbook, Learning by Doing by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, and Thomas W. Many, was released in 2006 and provides strategies for building and sustaining PLCs.[7]
Solution Tree also operates allthingsPLC.info, an online resource that provides helps educators in PLCs collaborate in an online global learning community.[8] Through the website, schools and districts can apply to become model PLCs, which requires that applicants meet a set of criteria and reapply annually.[9][10] Four times per year, Solution Tree publishes AllThingsPLC Magazine, which features information about PLCs and personal commentaries from educators.[11]
Collaborators
editSolution Tree collaborates with experts in education topics, such as Richard DuFour (PLCs), Robert J. Marzano (evidence-based education), James Bellanca (deeper learning), Timothy Kanold (mathematics), Kurt W. Fischer (educational neuroscience), and Will Richardson (technology in education). The company often publishes and partners with professionals currently in the education industry to provide their expertise in education.[12] This has raised questions in transparency in private earning by school officials.[12] DuFour said that it represents a shift toward educational materials being written by educators.[12]
Professional development
editSolution Tree provides various forms of professional development for educators. Working at the school or district level, Solution Tree offers short or long-term PD, from one-day events or workshops to in-depth, long term arrangements.[13][14] In 2014, Solution Tree launched Global PD, an online tool designed to help schools and districts facilitate the work of PLCs.[15]
Acquisitions
editIn 2017, Solution Tree acquired Hawker Brownlow Professional Learning Solutions (HBPLS).[16][17]
References
edit- ^ "Company Overview of Solution Tree, Inc". Bloomberg News.
- ^ Knudson, Pamela (2 July 2017). "Words on Wheels: Little Red Reading Bus is Back". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "About Solution Tree | Solution Tree". www.solutiontree.com. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
- ^ Louis, Billy Jean. "MHSD seeks acceptance in state-provided Professional Learning Communities training". The Baxter Bulletin. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ DuFour, Richard. "What Is a Professional Learning Community?". Educational Leadership. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Dufour, Richard; Eaker, Robert (February 2009). Professional Learning Communities at Work. Solution Tree Press. ISBN 9781934009857. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Dufour, Richard; Dufour, Rebecca (15 June 2013). Learning by Doing. Solution Tree Press. ISBN 9781935249894. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Solution Tree Features Eau Gallie Reading Teacher as May 2015 Hero". Maverick Multimedia, Inc. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Halstead, Marilyn (18 December 2016). "Cobden school named a Model Professional Learning Community". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Lakeview Elementary recognized". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "AllThingsPLC Magazine". Solution Tree. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ a b c Black, Lisa. "School officials' consulting raises questions of transparency". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2015-10-24. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Fertig, Beth. "To Improve Reading, A Few Key Words". WNYC. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ McConnaha, Michelle (25 August 2015). "Continuing education: Teachers learn about Professional Learning Communities concept". Ravalli Republic. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Meyer, Leila. "Solution Tree Updates Global PD". THE Journal. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "US: Solution Tree acquires Australian software company". Education Investor. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^ "Solution Tree acquires Hawker Brownlow". The Assignment Report. Retrieved 2 June 2017.