Video 3 Using Michael Fullan’s Coherence Framework, Dr. W. Patrick Dolan and Dr. Saul Rubinstein, explore how organizations develop collaborative structures and processes to set direction and goals for the school. These common goals increase both ownership and accountability among students and staff in ways that can enhance instructional practices and student learning.

Rubinstein shares how the collaborative journey (collaborative process, clarity around goals and strategies, ownership of accountability, and pedagogy or the engagement of all learners in deep thoughtful work) tie to the labor-management collaboration research that has been conducted.

Rubinstein argues that in order to reach high levels of collaboration, school systems should not start by deciding to be more collaborative. Instead, districts should focus on critical issues around goals and strategies that relate to teaching and learning … and then teachers and administration should work on those collaboratively.

Dr. Saul Rubinstein is a Professor in the Rutgers University School of Management & Labor Relations and the Director of its Collaborative School Leadership Initiative. His research focuses on union-management collaborative efforts in public education, and the impact of these partnerships on teaching and learning. Dr. Dolan, author of Restructuring Our Schools: A Primer for Systemic Change, is an organizational development consultant, supporting union-management collaborative partnership in large institutions.