Rochester City School Board Policy Manual
1400-E1
SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY
Rationale
The climate of a school—the degree to which people feel safe and valued, experience communication as open, honest and caring, and feel a sense of ownership and also responsibility for one another’s well-being—has a profound effect on people’s ability to take creative risks, learn, grow and nurture others. Adults can make mistakes. In hierarchical systems such as schools, as well as in a country that struggles with inequality, racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and heterosexism, the actions of adults and their mistakes have a profound effect on students. Adults need to be able to model positive behavior for students and this includes taking accountability for their actions. Accountability also builds trust between students and adults. Shared accountability promotes good communication. When everyone in the school community feels nourished by good communication and the liveliness of being with students who are excited to be there: 1. quality of life and work environment is enhanced; 2. learning is improved; and 3. everyone gains more respect for one another, and thus, the ability to work together as a team for students’ well-being and success.
What is meant by “shared accountability?”
A school is a hierarchical system which makes it difficult for people to be held accountable equally. Nevertheless, we should strive towards shared accountability. Shared accountability requires that both adults and children are held accountable for their actions and have the ability to hold each other accountable. We will reflect on our actions and analyze whether or not we are supporting our community.
How is shared accountability practiced?
To create shared accountability, shared values in the school community must be made clear to all the members and championed by the school Principal or their designee.
These values will be assertive toward changing the conditions that have been damaging or have been holding us back from all of us reaching our full potential as individuals, as a community, and as an institution.
Members of the school community will acknowledge and show appreciation when people go above the standard.
Members of the school community must be willing to apologize and ready to analyze their actions. All members of the school community will be held accountable through restorative practices, whenever possible. Adults have a place of power over the students, thus holding them accountable is more difficult. Because of this, each school must identify a person and place for students to air their concerns and have restorative meetings with adults and classmates about issues that may arise. We aspire to share accountability within our District and school communities. We know that significant shifts must be made culturally and structurally to achieve this. Thus, we commit to practicing and stretching ourselves beyond what feels familiar and comfortable to help usher in the school climate that supports continual growth and joy in teaching and learning.
June 18, 2026
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