Today, MetLife released the final installment of its three-part report, “The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Collaborating for Student Success.” The survey reports higher satisfaction among teachers who work in schools that foster collaborative teaching environments.
WASHINGTON—The MetLife survey results send a very clear message to school districts—education reform done with teachers, not to them, is the most successful approach. The report found that collaborative school environments contribute to more satisfied teachers and higher student achievement. When teachers have input into decisions about instruction, curriculum and resources, both students and teachers benefit.
We’re encouraged by the findings that fewer teachers say they plan to leave the profession in the next five years, and that a majority want to stay involved in education after retiring. Placing more emphasis on collaboration in schools would further these trends in career satisfaction.
Our schools and students are better served by adopting a collaborative approach and shunning the confrontational tactics that have divided the education community and harmed educational outcomes.