Empowerment Zones: Transforming Schools for Student Success
Empowerment Zones are collaborative partnerships between districts, unions, and states to empower clusters of schools, granting them autonomy in decision-making while focusing on student success and results. The model prioritizes opportunity, innovation, and accountability, emphasizing the importance of quality education over school type. Through empowered schools and limited Zone Board intervention, this approach aims to provide students with the education they need for a successful future.
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Empowerment Zones Partnerships to get communities the schools they want with the results students need 1
Empowerment Zones, clusters of autonomous and accountable district schools, currently serve 7,000 students across the country Springfield Empowerment Zone, Springfield, MA Luminary Learning Network Innovation Zone, Denver, CO Launched in 2015, expanded in 2016 10 schools 4,072 Middle school students 1,381 High school students Launched in 2016 4 schools 1,776 K-8 students 2 2
Zones are part of a broader Third Way movement that prioritizes opportunity and results for students and a collaborative ethos The Best of Districts (The First Way) The Best of Charters (The Second Way) Universal Service Autonomy & Accountability Democratic Voice Relentless Improvement Culture Fair & Sustainable Working Conditions Innovation For kids it doesn t matter if it s a charter school or a district school. They just need a good school. -- John B. King, Jr., U.S. Secretary of Education, speaking at the Empower Schools Third Way event on May 31, 2016 3 3
A Zone is launched as a partnership between the district, union, and sometimes state in order to empower a cluster of schools Springfield Empowerment Zone Board Board of SEZP, a separate non-profit, includes ex-officio members including Mayor, Vice Chair of School Committee, and a majority of independent (initially state-appointed) members. and independent Superintendent, Springfield Public Schools Springfield Education Association (Union) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Binding agreement delegates majority of per pupil funding and educational decision-making to the schools while also providing for key facility and operational supports. School board voted 6-1. Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Lean agreement that is flexible enough for autonomous schools operators while providing fair compensation, differentiated roles increased teacher voice. 92% of teachers ratified new agreement. that clearly and charter-style and stipends, and 4 4
Empowerment Zones center on empowered schools SCHOOLS ARE THE UNIT OF SUCCESS THE ZONE BOARD HAS A LIMITED ROLE In empowered schools, principals and elected teacher leadership teams develop the school operating plan, which lays out school-level decisions around 5 key levers: Curriculum Staffing Schedule Budget Culture The Zone Board ensures that schools are able to exercise their autonomy. Its role is limited, focused on: Setting a strategy of autonomous and accountable schools and approving school operating plans Zone Staff Zone Board Empowered Schools Holding schools accountable for results Schools are free to choose district services or outside partners to help them meet their goals District I have always believed that the people doing the work are the people who should have the voice in how the work is done. Tim Collins, Union President, Springfield Education Association 5 5
The Zone structure repositions the district as a provider of foundational services and differentiated supports Even though they operate under different conditions, Zone schools, staff, and students remain part of the district and their performance is included in the district s overall performance. THE DISTRICT AUTHORIZES THE ZONE AND PROVIDES SERVICES TO SCHOOLS Zone Staff Zone Board Initiating and renewing Zone- enabling contracts Providing non-optional services (for example, facilities and payroll services) Empowered Schools Setting key district-wide policies including enrollment Offering optional services (for example, curriculum or professional development) District Appointing district representative(s) to serve on the Zone Board We all had our doubts about our ability to come together and pull off such bold change. It hasn t always been easy, but it is the right path for our students and the change is palpable. -- Dan Warwick, Superintendent, Springfield Public Schools 6 6
Zones can allow communities to achieve various different goals Good to Great Turnaround Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership Denver s Luminary Learning Network New Designs 7 7
While the Zone model is designed to benefit students and families, and it also has benefits for other local stakeholders Students and Families Better educational opportunities Principals Increased ownership and responsibility Increased ownership and voice Ability to embrace innovative ideas and customize program to meet student needs Teachers Coherence of vision of autonomous, accountable schools Stability and continuity City Leaders Opportunity for reform within the traditional system Performance-based contract designed for accelerated results School Board Ecosystem of school improvement ideas and partners Dissemination of best practices across schools Superintendent Teacher voice in school-level decision-making Customization while maintaining a union contract Union 8 8
