News Summary
Concord Community Schools is implementing a team teaching pilot program to enhance student achievement for grades two through nine. The collaborative model allows educators to teach literacy and math across grade levels, aiming to reduce teacher burnout and improve educational outcomes. Alongside Concord, the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences is adopting a similar approach for younger students. Supported by the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative, early reports indicate positive impacts on student performance and teacher collaboration.
Concord, Michigan – Concord Community Schools is launching a pilot program implementing a “team teaching” model for students in grades two through nine, aiming to enhance student achievement and provide better support for teachers. This collaborative approach involves teams of educators sharing students across grade levels, rather than assigning a single teacher to each classroom. By adopting this model, the school district hopes to lessen teacher burnout while improving educational outcomes for students.
The new initiative allows for teachers to collaborate on teaching literacy and math, ensuring that students receive instruction from multiple educators. At Concord, students have access to their second and third-grade teachers, special education teachers, and aides throughout the day. This model fosters a more supportive learning environment by enabling various staff members to form meaningful relationships with students.
Alongside Concord, the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences (DAAS) is also embracing a similar team teaching structure, specifically targeting students in kindergarten and second grades. While Concord focuses on grades two through nine, DAAS structures its team-based approach around smaller student groups for younger learners, allowing for enhanced interaction and personalized attention in their educational experience.
For both schools, fostering trust among teaching staff is a critical component of the model’s success. The team teaching approach requires teachers to collaborate effectively, allowing time and flexibility for adaptation based on constructive feedback. To support this innovative method, the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) is partnering with both Concord and DAAS, contributing significant resources including funding and professional training sessions.
MEWI has committed $1.9 million to bolster team teaching initiatives across Michigan and has plans to expand this model into four additional districts in the coming year. Early indicators from the pilot programs are promising. Reports from Concord show a decrease in failure rates for eighth and ninth-grade students, while DAAS has noted an increase in reading and math proficiency among their second graders. These advancements suggest that the team teaching model may be achieving its designed goals.
In the case of DAAS, each second-grade student engages with all five second-grade teachers and a designated reading specialist each day. Daily “family meetings” are conducted for goal-setting among students and teachers, with students grouped by families named after various fruits. This structure encourages a sense of community and accountability among students.
Instruction at DAAS is delivered in collaborative groups, with two teachers working together within each classroom. This innovative approach contrasts sharply with traditional teaching methods, which often result in isolated teaching environments. Instead, team-based teaching nurtures collaboration, allowing teachers to address challenges and develop solutions together.
However, the Michigan education system is currently facing significant challenges in recruiting qualified teachers, primarily due to a considerable number of educators approaching retirement age and a substantial percentage of educators holding temporary credentials. The team teaching model represents not only an opportunity to enhance student experiences but also a robust training platform for student teachers, allowing them to learn from multiple seasoned educators and better prepare for their future teaching careers.
While many educators and administrators express optimism about the team teaching initiative, concerns linger regarding the systemic changes required to sustain such a model effectively within Michigan’s educational framework. Long-term success will demand thoughtful strategies to ensure that both teachers and students receive the support they need as this innovative approach is tested and potentially expanded across the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Michigan Republicans Propose Education Reforms Amid Budget Cuts
Apple’s $500 Billion Investment Boosts U.S. Manufacturing
Additional Resources
- The Manchester Mirror: Team Teaching in Michigan
- MLive: Concord Schools Team-Based Teaching
- Detroit Free Press: New Teaching Model in Michigan
- Wikipedia: Team Teaching
- Google Search: Team Teaching Michigan
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
