Memorandum of Understanding for Educators

What a good one includes

• A clear statement of the collaborative educational goals and the specific student outcomes you hope to achieve.
• A detailed breakdown of the roles and responsibilities assigned to each participating teacher or school department.
• An inventory of shared resources, including classroom spaces, budget contributions, and specialized teaching materials.
• A realistic timeline with key milestones for curriculum development, joint lessons, or project assessments.
• A simple communication plan outlining how often partners will meet to review progress and resolve issues.
• A straightforward mechanism for how either party can respectfully dissolve or modify the partnership if school needs shift.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing the agreement with overly rigid, legally binding language that stifles the organic, creative nature of classroom collaboration.
• Failing to secure prior verbal or written approval from school administration before drafting the formal joint agreement.
• Neglecting to specify who owns or maintains shared physical resources, leading to classroom friction down the road.
• Leaving the timeline open-ended without setting a clear end date or review period for the partnership.

Frequently asked questions