Dive Brief:
- Colorado's State Department of Education announced Tuesday that it plans to create a Turnaround Network to provide support for the state's lowest-performing schools.
- The goal of the program is to improve student academic performance at participating schools while also giving the teachers and principals tools to provide support to other struggling schools within their district that aren't necessarily part of the "network."
- Schools must opt into the network and the state will have no official control over the curriculum, personnel, or budget. The department intends to work with eight to 12 schools from a couple of districts in its first year of the program.
Dive Insight:
According to Chalkbeat, Colorado's Turnaround Network — which protects a school's local control by requesting they opt into the network — has more in common with the Connecticut Commissioner Network than the Michigan Education Achievement Authority or Tennessee Achievement School District. While Connecticut has partnered with struggling schools to provide support, Michigan and Tennessee have the authority to take over schools; currently, Tennessee has taken over 16 schools and Michigan has taken over 15, with plans to expand.
The variance between the two models makes a massive difference. By letting the schools opt into the network and leaving them with ultimate control over their budget, personnel, and curriculum, Colorado's Department of Education eliminates any potential for bitterness or frustration amongst schools in the network — and instead will most likely find campuses eager for support and ready to cooperate.