3.1 Leadership and Collaboration

The success and lasting impact of any new initiative in a school hinges on the dedicated individuals who champion it. When the right leaders come together to inspire support and showcase the tangible benefits for students, there is potential to transform a program into a catalyst for enduring change. Furthermore, a central project manager can guide crucial decision-making toward a unified vision and ensure that changes positively impact all stakeholders and operations. Section 3.1 equips you with recommendations and resources regarding leadership and collaboration, coupled with project-level leadership to assemble a dynamic team of champions.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

To embed program leadership and infrastructure, ensure you have completed the following tasks:

LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
Key RecommendationsCorresponding Resources
  • Ensure a dedicated executive champion (e.g., a cabinet-level district leader) provides strategic oversight, champions the program, and aligns resources across departments.

Reading: Leadership and Collaboration Roles by Tutoring Approach

Reading: Page 3, TNTP's Guidance for Building Your High-Impact Tutoring Team

  • Identify leadership roles at the administrative level (e.g., superintendent, instructional supervisors) and site-based level (e.g., teacher leaders, assistant principal) to support and manage the tutoring program.
  • Create a fidelity checklist leadership positions to communicate roles and responsibilities. Use the checklist to assess the accuracy and consistency of performance.
  • Collaborate with key district departments (e.g., technology support, legal counsel, HR) to define key staff roles in other departments that are needed to support the program.
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Key RecommendationsCorresponding Resources
  • Ensure effective project management. A common approach is hiring a central project manager to oversee operations and logistics.

Example: Tutoring Project Manager Job Description (PDF Available)

Toolkit: PK-8 Math Tutoring Resource Library Program Manager Guide

  • Establish a regular, dedicated planning period to understand, organize, and implement recommended tools. Set specific milestones throughout the year to time when to complete each step (see timing in roadmap).
Checklist: Roadmap to Success for Your High-Impact Tutoring Program

PLANNING FOR LONG TERM
  • Collaborate with district data teams to integrate tutoring into existing district data systems.
  • Plan for ongoing professional development/coaching for staff at all levels
Tutoring Quality Standards and Self-Assessment Indicators
Take the free, 15-minute, and research-based Local Education Agency (LEA) Self-Assessment. This subsection addresses these tutoring quality standards and Self-Assessment indicators.
Cohesion
Leader Role Clarity		The program has clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the leadership team, with particular attention to clearly defining tutor coaching responsibilities.
6b.1 | Tutoring Program Lead/CEO/Executive Director Job Description that includes description of responsibilities
6b.2 | Job descriptions and responsibility outlines for other senior leaders who oversee the tutoring program
6b.3 | Job descriptions and responsibility outlines for those responsible for coaching and supporting tutors
Cohesion
Leader Professional Development		Program leaders receive support to implement their roles with fidelity.
6c.1 | Ongoing professional development/coaching for staff at all levels
6c.2 | Fidelity checklists to ensure alignment with roles and responsibilities