In a professional learning community, teachers should primarily focus on what question?

Emphasizing "What do we want students to learn?" as the primary focus in a professional learning community reflects a fundamental principle of effective teaching and learning. This question centers on the educational objectives and outcomes that teachers aim to achieve with their students. By prioritizing student learning, educators can align their teaching strategies, assessments, and collaborative efforts to ensure that their instruction directly contributes to student success.

Focusing on this key question encourages a collective understanding among educators about the necessary skills and knowledge that students need to acquire. It fosters a shared vision that promotes coherence in curriculum design and teaching practices, allowing teachers to work collaboratively towards common goals.

Other considerations, such as reducing workload, setting achievement goals, or improving teacher morale, while important, serve as supportive areas of discussion rather than the primary focus. They can be influenced by the clarity of what students need to learn and how effectively teachers collaborate to meet those needs. Therefore, grounding the work in the question of student learning ensures that all other efforts are aligned with the ultimate aim of improved student outcomes.