Real and substantive school reform will largely occur where there is strategic and effective collaboration across constituency groups that are strong advocates in neighborhoods and communities and are committed to the work of K-12 schools. Professionals and organizations representing faith communities, private industry, the philanthropic community, civic groups, public entities, the education industry, and community development financial institutions are examples of key stakeholder groups whose ideas, resources, and energy can be beneficial to efforts to implement greater school choice and systemic reform in rural, suburban, and urban school districts nationwide. Cross-sectoral collaboration is an important means by which school transformation can become reality in places where there has been resistance to drastic school changes. By securing the support of community leaders and parents, reformers and educators stand a better chance of adopting policies and practices that can elevate teaching and learning in our schools. Education entrepreneurs will be viewed as well-intentioned partners when they develop plans and initiatives that reflect not only their innovative ideas but also incorporate the academic priorities of established constituencies in the towns and cities being served. The buy-in of local stakeholders is made so much easier when collaborative approaches are employed.

Partnerships that bring together different sectors, interest groups, and professions locally can help ensure that the interests of those who are most affected by major reforms are accounted for as decisions are made about school closures, dismissal of principals, teacher evaluations, and young people’s education. Parents most assuredly must buy into reform efforts that are broad and revolutionary. Influential community institutions that have a longstanding record of service and advocacy are also essential to any attempt to shakeup the status quo pertaining to local education models. Communities of faith have always been prominent and influential in the life of families and communities and are significant intermediaries or advocates for school changes that are far-reaching and sometimes perceived as drastic. If we are ever going to realize the kinds of synergistic relationships and alliances among business people, educators, nonprofits, faith organizations, academics, philanthropists, and everyday citizens that can yield creativity and innovation in schools, then we are definitely going to have to embrace reform efforts that make some of us uncomfortable and fearful about a shifting education paradigm that looks nothing like public schooling of the past. There’s no such thing as too much reform, too fast. By definition, reform requires significant changes, overhauls, or restructuring vis-à-vis business as usual. If done right, in a respectful and collaborative manner, reform can be absorbed and implemented in profound and unimaginable ways.