Partnership school communities
As a teacher in a Partnership School, you will be joining a team that has chosen to transform its school to ensure all children, regardless of background, are prepared for college and rewarding careers. You will be part of a school community that takes responsibility for the successful development and education of its students. The Partnership believes that a successful school community must be infused with people who want to work hard, are kind to each other and who dream big together. In this way, we can build a legacy for our future.
As a teacher in a Partnership School, you will also join a larger “family of schools” that includes colleagues in elementary, middle and high schools. Partnership Schools include other schools in a family of schools in order to provide consistency and coherence in children’s educational experiences from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Empowerment at Partnership Schools
The Partnership strongly believes that teachers and classified staff must be empowered to lead their schools. One of the hallmarks of Partnership Schools is the autonomy granted to each school. Each Partnership School will have the authority to determine how money is spent, who works at the school, what types of professional development will be provided, and what curriculum to use. In addition, each Partnership School will have a governing site council including administrators, teachers, classified staff members, students, and parents. The governing site councils will set the school’s vision and strategic plan, approve the annual budget, and select the school leader. In order to assist schools in reaching their potential, the Partnership will provide a cadre of support professionals. Several Partnership Schools are already moving towards creating smaller schools within the larger school. These smaller schools will help create a more personalized environment for teachers, students, staff, and parents. Other Partnership schools are examining curriculum changes, discipline policies and other areas that would benefit students.
Other supports for Partnership Schools
Each Partnership School will benefit from additional financial and in-kind resources, as well as enhanced level of service and supports from the Partnership. Schools will also see increased community support. The Partnership is engaging community organizations to create Community Collaboratives that will saturate each family of schools with services to ensure the healthy development of children.
Impact on students and LA
As Partnership Schools embrace their autonomy, they will grow and develop successful students that have the experiences, skills and information to become contributing residents of tomorrow. Additionally, exemplary schools can share their strategies and techniques with other schools within the District. This enables Partnership schools to serve as learning labs for successful change that can be replicated throughout the District.