This ICM includes variations related to factors that are external, but important, to the PLC culture. These factors are: central office, parents and families, and community members.
| External Support Systems | Non-initiating | Initiating | Implementing | Sustaining |
| Central Office | Central office personnel provide minimal direction, resources and support for school improvement efforts. | Central office personnel provide adequate direction, resources and support for school improvement efforts. | Central office personnel participate consistently in providing direction, resources and support for school improvement efforts. | Central office personnel play an integral role in building capacity within and across schools related to direction, resources and support for school improvement efforts. |
| Parents and Families | Parents/families minimally participate in decision-making and issues related to student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. | Some parents/families participate in decision-making and issues related to student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. | Many parents/families participate in decision-making and issues related to student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. | Parents/families are regularly involved in decision-making and participate meaningfully around issues related to student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. |
| Community Members | Community members play a limited role in supporting student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. | Some community members play a role in supporting student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. | Many community members play a role in supporting student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. | Community members play a significant role in supporting student learning, school improvement and extra-curricular activities. |
| Copyright © 2010 Source: Hipp, K. K., & Huffman, J. B. (2010). Demystifying professional learning communities: School leadership at its best. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. |
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The ESS-ICM provides general representations of support from sources external to the school at each phase of development.