Democracy and Reform in Public Schools: The Case for Collaborative Partnerships

Democracy and Reform in Public Schools examines how public education systems can be strengthened through strategic relationships between schools and outside partners. The book highlights the New Jersey Public School Labor-Management Collaborative as a leading example of how greater educator collaboration can lead to improved student outcomes, intra-district learning, and innovation. It provides proven strategies for fostering collaborative partnerships at district, state, and national levels and discusses techniques for forging new partnerships, sustaining collaborative efforts, and expanding the collaborative partnership model to larger scales.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Harvard Educational Publishing Group

In their thought-provoking examination, "Democracy and Reform in Public Schools," Saul Rubinstein, Charles Heckscher, and John McCarthy delve into the potential of strategic relationships within and outside schools to strengthen public education systems. Drawing on their expertise in labor relations, they envision a K–12 education model that moves away from the tenets of neoliberalism and prioritizes productive collaboration among school boards, administrators, teacher unions, and other education stakeholders.

The authors provide compelling evidence of the links between collaborative partnerships and improved student outcomes, building on a rich body of research on interorganizational cooperation. They highlight case studies, such as the New Jersey Public School Labor-Management Collaborative, as exemplars of how greater educator collaboration can lead to enhanced student performance, intra-district learning, and innovation, as well as reduced teacher turnover.

By drawing on examples from various industries, including the automobile, steel, and telecommunications sectors, the authors identify proven strategies for fostering collaborative partnerships at district, state, and national levels. They discuss techniques for forging new partnerships, sustaining collaborative efforts, and expanding the collaborative partnership model to larger scales.

Through their comprehensive analysis, "Democracy and Reform in Public Schools" expertly demonstrates how employment relations practices serve as antecedents to whole-system reform in schools. The book offers valuable insights and practical strategies for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to enhance public education and promote student success.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682538500