Blog: A Model in Action
January 27, 2015

Empower Schools views the Open Systems approach as a way to establish the conditions necessary for success at the individual school level. By controlling staffing, scheduling, curriculum, and budget, school leaders can make the decisions that have the greatest impact on their students.

This is precisely what has been happening in Lawrence, where the state appointed Jeff Riley in 2012 as receiver for the struggling district. In this audioclip, Mr. Riley speaks about his experience as superintendent for the Lawrence Public Schools and how in that role, he and his team helped each school implement customized turnaround plans that included individualized approaches to staffing and scheduling, and a focus on human capital from the bottom up.

This differentiation allows for a variety of types of schools, including traditional district schools as well as operator-led. Some schools in Lawrence, as well as the Bentley School in Salem, are instances in which proven operators work in partnership with the district to turnaround a specific school. A study recently released from MIT indicates promising achievement gains for this approach in Massachusetts and Louisiana. Other high-performing schools in Lawrence, like the Wetherbee and Guilmette, are led by talented district leaders who have taken advantage of new autonomies.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, the Open Systems approach allows for the flexibility to meet communities where they are.  This pragmatism makes it possible for changes to scale, improving outcomes for many students.

The Colorado Rural Collaborative Guide is designed to raise awareness and support rural communities in expanding college and career pathways through regional partnerships. Rural Collaboratives serve as intermediary organizations that bring together school districts, higher education institutions, and employers to create shared opportunities for students.

This guide covers:

  • The benefits of forming a Rural Collaborative
  • Examples of collaborative services that design, expand, and enhance pathways
  • Governance models and sustainable funding strategies
  • Lessons from the field

By fostering cross-sector partnerships, Rural Collaboratives can improve student outcomes and strengthen local economies. This resource offers actionable strategies and real-world examples to help rural leaders navigate the process of building and sustaining collaborative efforts.