A month ago or so, we reported on the idea of “teacher professional partnerships”—essentially schools that are run by teachers. Yesterday, the Christian Science Monitor picked up on the trend, pointing to examples of teacher-led schools cropping up at various points around the country. In general, these schools don’t have principals or other administrators; administrative duties and decisionmaking are shared by the teachers themselves.
According to the Monitor, the growing interest in teacher-led schools stems in part from the recent emphasis on holding teachers more accountable for student learning—the idea being that, if you’re going to hold teachers responsible, you might as well give them some actual control. Observers also note that the time is right for experimentation in models of schooling, since many districts are searching for solutions and open to innovative ideas.
The article suggests that teacher-led schools have collaborative cultures and, as might be expected, highly-driven staff. The Teachers “appreciate that their professional judgment is being respected,” observes Lori Nazareno, a co-lead teacher at the Math and Science Leadership Academy in Denver.
Hat Tip: Accomplished Teacher.