Raising the Bar: How Elevated Teacher Expectations Drive Student Achievement
Reimagining Teacher Teacher Leadership
In Raising the Bar, Empower Schools and Teacher-Powered Schools examine how Cold Spring School in Indianapolis, Indiana uses Innovation Network School flexibility to build a strong instructional culture, align staff around shared expectations, and improve student outcomes.
The case study shows how Cold Spring’s STEM and environmental science model is supported by strategic hiring, professional learning communities, budget flexibility, curriculum design, and a teacher-led accountability culture. It also explains how Innovation Network School status gives Cold Spring operational flexibility while keeping the school part of Indianapolis Public Schools.
Empower Schools supports the launch, operation, and sustainability of Innovation Schools through direct partnerships and by advocating for the policies, governance structures, and local conditions that make school-level innovation possible.
In this resource:
How Cold Spring School uses Innovation Network School flexibility to support its STEM and environmental science model
How strategic hiring helps align teachers around the school’s mission, beliefs, and instructional expectations
How professional learning communities support data-informed instruction and continuous improvement
How budget flexibility allows the school to invest in technology, specialized staffing, and teacher retention
What other schools and districts can learn from Cold Spring’s approach to teacher-led accountability and student achievement
Best for: district leaders, school leaders, teacher leaders, state education leaders, policymakers, and advocates exploring Innovation Schools, teacher leadership, school-level autonomy, strategic staffing, or educator empowerment.
This case study was co-produced as a special collaboration between Empower Schools and Teacher Powered Schools. Learn more about Teacher Powered Schools here.
