Labor-Management Cooperation on Teaching and Learning Cleveland Municipal School District

Abstract

The Cleveland Municipal School District and the Cleveland Teachers Union have established a collaborative relationship that has enabled them to work jointly on a number of innovative programs designed to improve teaching and learning in the schools of Cleveland. The educational standards set forth in Educating Cleveland’s Children are the foundation for much of this work. The challenges now facing the District and the CTU are to keep track of all these programs, assess their effectiveness with respect to teaching and learning, and ensure that the changes in organizational culture necessary to support this work are realized in each school.

The breadth and depth of change to which the parties have committed demands a tremendous investment of time, money, and energy. As CTU President Richard DeColibus noted, such a vast undertaking will require resources beyond what the Union and the District can contribute. It is fortunate that in Cleveland the schools have the support not only of the city administration, but also of parents, civic and business leaders, foundations, social service agencies, and other city employees. If the District and the Union can continue to engage these other entities, it seems likely they will be able to create a high-functioning learning community that is uniquely equipped to meet the needs of all of Cleveland's children.