Transatlantic School Innovation Alliance

The Transatlantic School Innovation Alliance (TSIA) connects a group of public schools in New York City and London that are united in an effort to identify, test and implement effective strategies for improving literacy skills in underperforming students. Through the support of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform; the Department of Children, Schools and Families (United Kingdom); and New Visions, this collaboration has grown from two schools in 2006 to a thriving network of 16 schools in 2009.

Within each participating TSIA school, the principal and a teacher-leader work closely with a group of teachers who focus on a target group of struggling students. The teachers identify gaps in students’ literacy skills and develop strategies for improvement. At the same time, the eight New Visions schools and eight London schools collaborate through transatlantic sharing of new literacy lesson plans and teaching methods, working in online forums and participating in video and telephone conferences. Each year, representatives from all 16 schools gather once in New York City and once in London for site visits and workshops.

Through TSIA, schools in London and New York City — each with unique experiences and knowledge — address a common challenge: low literacy skills that limit students’ academic growth in all subjects. The impact of their work is widespread. Not only are TSIA schools improving literacy instruction in English/ language arts classrooms, but TSIA participants also work with colleagues to improve students’ literacy skills across subjects. In doing so, they strengthen leadership skills and develop stronger, more rigorous learning communities.