In this Pearl, Guillermo shares the value of using the “I decide, you decide, we decide” method with his team. He tells of his experience being trained in peer-to-peer assessment. Some aspects of the process were decided by the leadership (I), some were decided by the teacher (you), and some were decided by the team (we). The group found this process effective and recognized the benefits of using it outside of assessment as well. It made the communication process and expectations clear. In “I decide,” teachers were receiving a mandate with very little power. In “we decide,” the conversation was open for discussion and debate. In “you decide,” the responsibility for decisions fell on the teachers. He encourages leaders to ask themselves, “How much of myself is necessary in this process…and how much can I delegate and give away?”
Professional positions cited were the ones held at the time of recording. The positions and schools of those quoted may have since changed.--------------------------------------------------------------
Guillermo Machado is the curriculum designer at the Authentic Learning Lab in Mexico.
