Educator Autonomy
Project
Overview
December 3, 2013
Introduction of
Educator Autonomy Project
Context and Purpose



Research has proven that critical factors in determining student achievement are an excellent
teacher in every classroom and an excellent principal in every school.



The most recent reforms (common core standards and assessments, teacher induction
program, etc.) have involved educators in their development, yet have emanated from a state
level.



As these latest reforms become ingrained in the school system, attention needs to shift to how
to unleash innovation in the classroom through more autonomy at the school and educator
level.

The Educator Autonomy Project’s purpose is to support Rhode Island’s efforts to create a worldclass education system by working with all stakeholders to design recommendations to the
Governor to improve student achievement through increased local autonomy.

2
Educator Autonomy Project
Objective and Key Questions
This project is critical at this juncture to improve student achievement by:

 Allowing educators and schools the flexibility to meet the specific needs of their




students
Encouraging innovation
Addressing concerns that governance is too centralized
Strengthening autonomy and effectiveness

The work will focus on the following key questions:
 What barriers to effective/innovative teaching and learning exist in Rhode




Island?
How could these barriers be removed or mitigated?
What improvements in governance, school leadership structure and decisionmaking would allow for more innovative teaching and learning?
How can we strengthen autonomy and ensure consistent quality and
effectiveness?

3
Educator Autonomy Project
Guiding Principles
 Student learning and success is paramount.

 Educators (teachers, school and district administrators)
want what is best for students.

 Decisions should be made as close to the student as is
practical and effective.

4
Educator Autonomy
Project
The work of the Educator Autonomy Project will be accomplished through a
Governor-appointed working group that includes representatives from all
stakeholders. Co-led by award-winning educators, this working group will
conduct all work through a public process over a 6 - 9 month period.

Existing
Researc
h

Local
Surveys

Expert
Interview
s

Support proposed bills

Educator
Autonom
yWorking
Group

Recommendation
s to Governor

Encourage
district
leadership

Encourage state
leadership

5
Educator Autonomy Project
Phases of Work
Throughout all phases of work, emphasis will be placed on communication with and education for all stakeholders by ensuring all
materials and information are available to the public including public work sessions, posted announcements, agendas and
minutes, etc.
Planning Phase
Sept. – Nov.

Phase 1: Build Common
Understanding of Issue
Dec. – Feb.

Phase 2: Determine
Areas of
Recommendations
Feb. - May

Phase 3: Test and
Develop Specific
Recommendations
May - July

Key Questions:
What information do WG
members need to have
productive sessions and
develop a robust set of
actionable recommendations?
What process(es) would
ensure full and open
discussion leading to
consensus?

What barriers to
effective/innovative
teaching and learning
exist in RI?
How have others
resolved these
barriers?

What changes in
governance would allow for
more effective/innovative
teaching and learning?
How could barriers to
effective teaching and
learning be removed or
mitigated?

How could proposed
recommendations be
implemented?
How can we strengthen
autonomy and ensure
quality and effectiveness?

Work with Co-Chairs to
provide appropriate prereading materials and to meet
with WG members to ensure
questions are answered and
expectations are clear

Conduct surveys of
stakeholders and
review existing
research and bodies of
work

Identify areas of greatest
opportunity

Dig deep to determine best
path for implementation
working closely with
stakeholders

Work with Co-Chairs to design
process(es)

Build consensus around
key questions and issue

Develop recommendations

Prioritize recommendations

Process:

6
Educator Autonomy Project
Areas of Autonomy to Consider

State

District

School

Teacher

Areas
• Budget Allocation (school)
• Staffing (who, what types)
• Schedule
• Professional development (school)
• Vendor selection (school)
• Curriculum consistent with common core (school)
• Assessment (except those required by law)
• Reporting
Examples
• Schools can allocate budget between types of teachers and specialists as long as target ratios
are maintained
• Schools could design professional development based on teacher need/interest
• Teachers could choose classroom materials, supplies and technology that are best targeted to
their students
• Districts could empower their principals to lead their teachers to make more significant
decisions around budget, curriculum, etc.

7
Timeline
Oct
.
23rd

Nov.
4th,
22nd

Dec.
3nd

Jan.
6th

Feb.
11th

March
4th

April
7th

May
5th

June
2nd

Planning
Align on Issue
ID Areas of
Recommendatio
ns
Define, Refine
and Adopt
Specific
Recommendatio
ns

8
As you watch this video:

 What does autonomy mean to you?
 What does it look and sound like to you?

9
Framing Questions
In your personal experience, how has autonomy played a
role in your ability to succeed?

How can autonomy in decision making play a role in our
schools?

10
Yanaiza Gallant (Rm
505)

Pat Page (Rm 501)

Christina Batastini (Rm
502)

Ron

Karen

Sue

Deborah

Rob

Tim

Pierre

Patrick

Val

Bob

Rick

Julian

Alan

Carolyn

Kathy

11

RI Educator Autonomy Kickoff presentation

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Introduction of Educator AutonomyProject Context and Purpose  Research has proven that critical factors in determining student achievement are an excellent teacher in every classroom and an excellent principal in every school.  The most recent reforms (common core standards and assessments, teacher induction program, etc.) have involved educators in their development, yet have emanated from a state level.  As these latest reforms become ingrained in the school system, attention needs to shift to how to unleash innovation in the classroom through more autonomy at the school and educator level. The Educator Autonomy Project’s purpose is to support Rhode Island’s efforts to create a worldclass education system by working with all stakeholders to design recommendations to the Governor to improve student achievement through increased local autonomy. 2
  • 3.
    Educator Autonomy Project Objectiveand Key Questions This project is critical at this juncture to improve student achievement by:  Allowing educators and schools the flexibility to meet the specific needs of their    students Encouraging innovation Addressing concerns that governance is too centralized Strengthening autonomy and effectiveness The work will focus on the following key questions:  What barriers to effective/innovative teaching and learning exist in Rhode    Island? How could these barriers be removed or mitigated? What improvements in governance, school leadership structure and decisionmaking would allow for more innovative teaching and learning? How can we strengthen autonomy and ensure consistent quality and effectiveness? 3
  • 4.
    Educator Autonomy Project GuidingPrinciples  Student learning and success is paramount.  Educators (teachers, school and district administrators) want what is best for students.  Decisions should be made as close to the student as is practical and effective. 4
  • 5.
    Educator Autonomy Project The workof the Educator Autonomy Project will be accomplished through a Governor-appointed working group that includes representatives from all stakeholders. Co-led by award-winning educators, this working group will conduct all work through a public process over a 6 - 9 month period. Existing Researc h Local Surveys Expert Interview s Support proposed bills Educator Autonom yWorking Group Recommendation s to Governor Encourage district leadership Encourage state leadership 5
  • 6.
    Educator Autonomy Project Phasesof Work Throughout all phases of work, emphasis will be placed on communication with and education for all stakeholders by ensuring all materials and information are available to the public including public work sessions, posted announcements, agendas and minutes, etc. Planning Phase Sept. – Nov. Phase 1: Build Common Understanding of Issue Dec. – Feb. Phase 2: Determine Areas of Recommendations Feb. - May Phase 3: Test and Develop Specific Recommendations May - July Key Questions: What information do WG members need to have productive sessions and develop a robust set of actionable recommendations? What process(es) would ensure full and open discussion leading to consensus? What barriers to effective/innovative teaching and learning exist in RI? How have others resolved these barriers? What changes in governance would allow for more effective/innovative teaching and learning? How could barriers to effective teaching and learning be removed or mitigated? How could proposed recommendations be implemented? How can we strengthen autonomy and ensure quality and effectiveness? Work with Co-Chairs to provide appropriate prereading materials and to meet with WG members to ensure questions are answered and expectations are clear Conduct surveys of stakeholders and review existing research and bodies of work Identify areas of greatest opportunity Dig deep to determine best path for implementation working closely with stakeholders Work with Co-Chairs to design process(es) Build consensus around key questions and issue Develop recommendations Prioritize recommendations Process: 6
  • 7.
    Educator Autonomy Project Areasof Autonomy to Consider State District School Teacher Areas • Budget Allocation (school) • Staffing (who, what types) • Schedule • Professional development (school) • Vendor selection (school) • Curriculum consistent with common core (school) • Assessment (except those required by law) • Reporting Examples • Schools can allocate budget between types of teachers and specialists as long as target ratios are maintained • Schools could design professional development based on teacher need/interest • Teachers could choose classroom materials, supplies and technology that are best targeted to their students • Districts could empower their principals to lead their teachers to make more significant decisions around budget, curriculum, etc. 7
  • 8.
  • 9.
    As you watchthis video:  What does autonomy mean to you?  What does it look and sound like to you? 9
  • 10.
    Framing Questions In yourpersonal experience, how has autonomy played a role in your ability to succeed? How can autonomy in decision making play a role in our schools? 10
  • 11.
    Yanaiza Gallant (Rm 505) PatPage (Rm 501) Christina Batastini (Rm 502) Ron Karen Sue Deborah Rob Tim Pierre Patrick Val Bob Rick Julian Alan Carolyn Kathy 11