Schools Without Principals

By KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Today, in some schools, the principal's office is empty as schools without principals are growing in number. The key is shared decision-making and since studies of effective schools point to collaboration, they're gaining currency.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, the idea isn't new. In the 1970s schools in New York City started such reforms and currently in Minnesota, Denver and Boston teachers jointly govern schools. In Minneapolis recently, teachers got permission to start a French-immersion school.

For teachers, there are new challenges—managing budgets, implementing district safety policies and cultivating relationships with parents, who have choices of where to send their children.

With national talk of teachers meeting standards or risk being removed, more teachers are saying,  "Hold us accountable. But let us do it our way."  Boston Teachers Union School, now in its second year, already has a waiting list. Co-leader Berta Rosa Berriz points to the fact that it's a union school and it's not money that motivates teachers.

While it's too early to determine if such schools increase achievement, watch for results from schools without principals.