Looks like I’ll be contributing to a new blog devoted to Manual Arts’ efforts toward autonomy. Follow along over here (or check the snazzy blogroll).

And for kicks, I’ll repost my first entry over there:

A Word About Collaboration

Over the next couple of weeks, there will be ample opportunities for Manual Arts teachers, parents, students, community members, and administrators to collaborate in the discussions and decisions about what our school will look like within the Innovation Division. As a grassroots movement, it is important to keep in mind that the input of all of our stakeholders is the key to lasting change as a result of autonomy. The two biggest challenges that we are facing in this process are:

1. Individuals wanting things to “stay the same”
2. Individuals that feel that dissenting opinions do not have a forum to be voiced.

I want to address both of these very quickly.

1. Though it has been stated before, it is important to remember that there is no status quo that the Manual Arts community can rely on. We are committed to the High Priority School plan and will be facing numerous structural and curricular changes as a result; teachers’ classrooms will be different and your practice as an educator will be questioned. The Innovation Division allows for these decisions to be localized. Student achievement is at the forefront of this movement; this is about our community focusing on our students.

2. The success of Manual Arts’ partnership with MLA Partnership Schools and WestEd relies on our ability as a community to discuss and recognize the myriad viewpoint surrounding change at our school. Concerns with parts of a proposed plan need to vetted as a community so that we can continue to build consensus. I want to remind everyone that nothing about the plan is set in stone. We are working together to determine what is best for our community and for our students. As a result, it is imperative that anyone with concerns attends one of the regular Local Autonomy meetings or contact anyone connected to the current movement on campus.

To date, this has been a nearly nine-month process towards autonomy and counting! I am excited by the continued efforts of our network partners, UTLA, and the amazing parents, teachers, and students that have made this journey possible. I look forward to the continued dialogue to come. With collaboration, it really can be done!