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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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