Rare Labor-Management Collaboration in Springfield Schools: Is it Working?

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Four years ago, Springfields' public schools were reeling after the mass exodus of educators who had lost faith in the system and its then-superintendent, Joseph Burke. Yet Burke was instrumental in creating a collaborative effort with local union president Tim Collins, and a think-tank star, Paul Reville, who is now Massachusetts' Secretary of Education. A new report out this week says the labor-management collaboration focused the adults on student needs, stabilized the system, and helped improve student achievement too. The report was commissioned by the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy -- Reville's old think tank - and New England Public Radio's Fred Bever spoke this week with its new director, Chad D'entremont. He says that even with the imminent departure of superintendent Alan Ingram, the structures in place now should keep the collaboration on track.