Empower Schools Communications 8/5/25 Empower Schools Communications 8/5/25

Rural communities unite to build career pathways for students

“Rural leaders are reimagining student and community success by forming Rural Collaboratives as other regions refer to these programs, which bring together local school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and regional development partners to expand rural students’ access to high-quality college and career pathways that also benefit the community."

Empower Schools Communications 6/10/25 Empower Schools Communications 6/10/25

Innovation schools are retaining teachers. Here is how

“While we may have more flexibility and agility than traditional public schools, the practices we developed can be successfully applied anywhere."

Empower Schools Communications 4/15/25 Empower Schools Communications 4/15/25

In shrinking rural towns, these Texas high schools are teaming up to stay alive

“We looked across the street, we looked at close neighbors and said, 'What are you guys doing well and what can we take advantage of as a school district?'" said Michael Gonzales, executive director of Rural Schools Innovation Zone, a nonprofit that runs the initiative."

Empower Schools Communications 9/18/24 Empower Schools Communications 9/18/24

What Educators Want and Students Need

Ten years ago, three schools shared the Chestnut campus in Springfield, MA. All ranked at the very bottom of the state's accountability system – even the one designated an honors academy. Today, however, the programming in the building has undergone a radical and successful transformation. That honors program is the most improved school in the state, and the other schools now in the building have designed purposes and goals. These additional schools include a culturally responsive dual language school and a wall-to-wall early college program where high school students earn college credits and associate degrees.

Empower Schools Communications 7/13/24 Empower Schools Communications 7/13/24

How to Use School-Level Autonomy to Improve Schools? Design it with the People Most Affected By It

"Building the School Autonomy Framework became much bigger than the framework itself. It’s been about the process. With CPRL’s help, we used a people and process lens to develop the framework. It’s been about building relationships, communicating transparently, delivering on what we had promised, and building systems that include accountability but also support."