Autonomy
through the iDivision gives local schools and communities authority over instructional decisions, budgets, hiring, and professional development. It moves decision-making locally, freeing school
staff from many of the mandates and decrees of the district, while protecting the
needs of all students.
It means
that those who know the students and the needs of the school best are given the
opportunity to act on this knowledge and to do so with expanded authority over
instructional and operational decisions.
The LMU Partnership will support teachers, staff, parents, and community
in decision-making roles, giving the school the best opportunity to act based
on the needs of the students.
If your
child’s school decided to become an Innovation school and join the LMU
Partnership, here are 10 key things that would change:
School Vision: Led by a Stakeholder Governing
Council, school staff will develop a cohesive vision for educational excellence
and success, with a focus on personalizing education for each student and
family.
Personalized
Education: By tailoring education to the needs of the
students, we will be able to more quickly address those in need of support and
to provide more opportunities for all students (gifted and otherwise) to excel.
Addressing Local Needs: Teachers, administrators and other
school staff will have freedom to focus their time and efforts on the needs of
the school, the students, and the parents rather than attending mandated
meetings and irrelevant trainings, implementing unnecessary programs or
policies, or dealing with centrally mandated policies that might have no
relevance for this school.
Urgency of Mission;
Innovative Setting:
With the increased decision-making authority, school stakeholders will continue
to approach their work with a heightened sense of accountability, but now with
the flexibility to address emerging needs quickly (without needing central
district approval for all changes), and with the empowerment that comes with
greater voice. Furthermore, teachers and
staff will be encouraged to be bold and innovative in thinking about ways to
support student success.
Focused Support for
Staff: The
educators who know your child the best would be able to focus on the training,
professional development, and support services they need most.
Match Budget Choices
with School Needs:
With control over budget and staffing decisions, the school will have
flexibility to make decisions based on the needs of the students and the
school, as opposed to following district-mandated formulas. For example, if a school wants an extra
teacher, a nurse, or a counselor, they have greater flexibility to make these
choices, based on the school’s needs, despite district mandates linked to
enrollment.
Match Instructional
Choices with School Needs: Greater autonomy over curriculum
and instructional choices, if there are programs that the school knows work,
these can be implemented, without fear of district sanction.
Focused Time: The administrators will be at the
school site more often, focused on improving instruction and able to respond to
parents and students rather than being forced to attend countless meetings or
attending to tasks unrelated to student success.
Quick Decisions: Instead of going through many
channels and layers of the district to get answers or approval for action,
schools are empowered to make decisions based on local needs.
Support and
Partnership, Not Control: The LMU Partnership role is one of
support, resource provision, and shared accountability, not control or
compliance. The LMU Partnership will
assist schools in developing their school plans and vision, and provide support
and resources for student services, professional development, and governance, but
not control school communities or dictate and mandate to the schools.