Collaborative Leadership Model

Milltown Public Schools values shared decision making in seeking to continuously improve our learning environment.  Since 2018, Milltown Public Schools has been a proud member of the Public School Collaborative in partnership with Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations. Under the direction of Dr. Saul Rubinstein at the Rutgers Center for the Study of Collaboration in Work and Society, the Public Schools Collaborative model develops the understanding of effective collaboration, both as theory and as practice.  

The collaborative leadership model embeds a district leadership team (DLT) and school leadership teams (SLTs) that are comprised of Board members, administrators, teachers and staff within the culture of school operations.  Broad district goals are overseen by the DLT that acts as a steering committee for action plans related to the Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Equity Plan.  School goals are developed and managed by the SLTs who are empowered to take action toward addressing identified needs and concerns.  A decision-making continuum provides a framework to guide collaborative discussions. 

The collaborative leadership model is a best practice toward improving teaching and learning.  Research has shown the following benefits in collaborative partnerships within education:

•       Labor Management Collaborative Partnerships, which include a shared vision for schools and districts,   shared decision making and formal collaboration process, are linked to student achievement gains, even   in socio-economically challenged districts;
•       Labor Management Collaborative Partnerships lead to innovation in schools/ districts advancing student   learning;
•       Labor Management Collaborative Partnerships lead to changes in traditional roles among teachers,   unions, administrators and boards leading to shared decision-making at the school/district level; and
•       Labor Management Partnerships result in a more positive and productive school climate, setting the  foundation for collaborative work on teaching and learning.

More Information

About the Public School Collaborative

Dr. Rubinstein: Impact of Labor Management Collaboration (video)