Empowerment Zones Partnerships to get communities the schools they want with the results students need

Empowerment Zones, clusters of autonomous and accountable district schools, currently serve 7,000 students across the country Springfield Empowerment Zone, Springfield, MA Launched in 2015, expanded in 2016 10 schools 4,072 Middle school students 1,381 High school students Luminary Learning Network Innovation Zone, Denver, CO Launched in 2016 4 schools 1,776 K-8 students

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

Springfield Public Schools Springfield Education Association (Union) 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 and independent members including Superintendent, Mayor, Vice Chair of School Committee, and a majority of independent (initially state-appointed) members. Springfield Public Schools Springfield Education Association (Union) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Binding agreement that clearly 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 and charter-style operators while providing fair compensation, differentiated roles and stipends, and increased teacher voice. 92% of teachers ratified new agreement.

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 Schools are free to choose district services or outside partners to help them meet their goals 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 Holding schools accountable for results Zone Staff Board District Empowered Schools “ “ 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

The district authorizes the zone… …and provides services to schools 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. Zone Staff Board District Empowered Schools The district authorizes the zone… …and provides services to schools Initiating and renewing Zone- enabling contracts Setting key district-wide policies including enrollment Appointing district representative(s) to serve on the Zone Board Providing non-optional services (for example, facilities and payroll services) Offering optional services (for example, curriculum or professional development) “ “ 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

Zones can allow communities to achieve various different goals Good to Great Turnaround Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership Denver’s Luminary Learning Network New Designs

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 Teachers Increased ownership and voice Ability to embrace innovative ideas and customize program to meet student needs City Leaders Coherence of vision of autonomous, accountable schools Stability and continuity School Board Opportunity for reform within the traditional system Performance-based contract designed for accelerated results Superintendent Ecosystem of school improvement ideas and partners Dissemination of best practices across schools Union Teacher voice in school-level decision-making Customization while maintaining a union contract