Idea That Works – Putting Teachers in Charge of Schools

Imagine a group of teachers and community members running your local school, deciding school calendars and setting staff work hours independent from their district’s central office.  This type of self-governing model is proving effective in improving student performance.  Ultimately the teachers have more control over their work and are more invested in producing high-performing students.  Through a generous grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, over 40 teacher- governed schools have been established around the nation.  Read about how Minneapolis is implementing this model from the Star Tribune, in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.