Clarification:
Effective teachers seek opportunities for students to assume primary roles in the management and operations of the classroom based on clear expectations of roles and responsibilities. There are significant benefits to empowering students, including having them assume responsibility for their actions and behaviors; developing decision-making and other critical life skills; developing confidence and leadership; understanding their own strengths and limitations; and many others. Empowering students to take primary leadership in the classroom allows the teacher to focus on other critical elements of instruction.