{"id":14451,"date":"2021-05-31T20:54:22","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T00:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/?page_id=14451"},"modified":"2021-06-03T20:13:55","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T00:13:55","slug":"innovation-zones","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/our-work\/center-for-policy\/innovation-zones\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Zones"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1574377504784{padding-top: 80px !important;padding-bottom: 80px !important;background-color: #3119a8 !important;}” el_class=”bg-gradient text-white bg-gradient–branded”][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”text-white”]<\/p>\n

Innovation zones offer certain flexibilities or exemptions from administrative regulations and statutory provisions that help remove barriers to modernizing education delivery. The term innovation zone<\/em>, also known as districts of innovation<\/em>, refers to the idea of creating space for districts and schools to innovate by identifying constraints from current laws and regulations and providing flexibility. In exchange for added flexibility, schools and districts commit to innovating to improve curriculum, instructional approaches, supports, professional development, use of time and talent, and other strategies that meet the unique needs of students and teachers.<\/h4>\n

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NEW ISSUE BRIEF<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Innovation Zones: Policy Flexibility to Reimagine and Modernize K-12 Education Post-COVID-19<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]As districts consider their post-COVID futures, innovation zones present an important policy option for states to offer increased flexibility. Innovation Zones: Policy Flexibility to Reimagine and Modernize K-12 Education Post-COVID-19,<\/a><\/em> a new brief from the Aurora Institute Center for Policy, examines how 10 states established innovation zones for schools and districts.[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download” size=”lg” css_animation=”fadeIn” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Faurora-institute.org%2Fresource%2Finnovation-zones-policy-flexibility-to-reimagine-and-modernize-k-12-education-post-covid-19%2F”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”14505″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/resource\/innovation-zones-policy-flexibility-to-reimagine-and-modernize-k-12-education-post-covid-19\/”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1622506454027{margin-top: 60px !important;padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

National Landscape Analysis of States with K-12 Innovation Zones<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”14480″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Innovation Zones Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-7″][vc_toggle title=”What are Innovation Zones?”]The term innovation zone, also known as districts of innovation, refers to the idea of states creating space for districts and schools to innovate by identifying constraints from current laws and regulations and providing flexibility to implement evidence-based practices. In return for receiving additional flexibility, innovation zone designees implement new effective approaches to teaching and learning, such as adopting a new curriculum, instructional models, supports, professional development practices, mastery-based use of time and talent, and other strategies that meet the unique needs of learners and educators.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How do Innovation Zones support flexibility?”]Outside of explicit federal requirements outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), any state rules, regulations, or outdated laws that impede access to high-quality learning, especially for historically underserved students, can be addressed through flexibility allowed in existing innovation zones. States often use innovation zones as a legal mechanism to provide flexible and innovative approaches to adopt student-centered policies, such as moving away from seat-time requirements, providing flexibility in use of talent, and modernizing educator professional development.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What should be a state’s first step in developing an Innovation Zone?”]Examine case studies of other state\u2019s innovation zones and work with your legislature to authorize an Innovation Zone; collect information from educators, schools, and district leaders who are dissatisfied with laws and regulations that inhibit their ability to implement student-centered instruction; and garner bipartisan, bicameral, and state executive support for flexibility.<\/p>\n

In concert with authorizing an innovation zone, state leaders should consider developing a Profile of a Graduate<\/a> to help redefine success and build a vision for the K-12 education system. With clear, comprehensive updated definitions of success, states can transform their education systems, and do so in a coherent manner, so that everyone is working together to help students succeed. Any rules or regulations that impede the model development are brought to light and can be addressed through flexibility from administrative regulations and statutory provisions.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How do states develop an Innovation Zone?”]Most states develop innovation zones through legislation. Legislation not only provides the legal pathway to the authorization of innovation zones but also establishes guidance on the application and selection process,\u00a0eligibility, allowed flexibility, and the evaluation process.\u00a0State leaders may also consider developing a legislative task force<\/a>, where diverse education decision-makers can study and identify outdated rules and regulations that are barriers to student-centered learning, often impeding effective instruction for the whole child in the 21st century. Typically, innovation zone task force members engage a diverse group of stakeholders who study an issue by interviewing state experts, researching ineffective policies, determining needs for building educator capacity, and offering initial recommendations.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How do Innovation Zones support an equity agenda?”]Innovation zones provide a space for districts to reimagine how the K-12 education system can serve all students, but especially Black, Brown, and students living in low-income households.\u00a0 Despite dramatic improvements in the delivery of education over the last century, the one-size-fits-all, time-based system does not work as well as necessary to ensure that all student subgroups succeed. Innovation zones provide an opportunity to pilot and target innovative new practices and supports that serve the unique needs of student subgroups who have been disproportionately affected by an education system that was not explicitly designed for their academic and emotional health in the first place.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How should a state engage stakeholders?”]State leaders should engage with educators, administrators, families, students, postsecondary education leaders, and the business community to articulate the vision and purpose for an innovation zone. This process should both encourage and allow public comments on draft proposals. Policymakers may consider targeted engagements with educators and district leadership to determine barriers they face on the day-to-day in the classroom.\u00a0 Policymakers may find value in more formal ways of soliciting input from various stakeholders through listening tours and town hall meetings with both virtual and in-person options.\u00a0Genuine dialogue between multiple stakeholders provides an opportunity for state leaders to articulate the purpose of flexibility and the expected outcomes due to the implementation of an innovation zone.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What funding should be included?”]Repurposing funding or allocating new dollars to the initiative can be worthwhile, especially if a state wants to address economic and racial equity. Many states offer planning grants to districts to increase the effectiveness of innovation zones, and as an incentive for districts to apply for flexibility to address systemic educational challenges and other state priorities.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”When should states evaluate innovation zones?”]State leaders should determine an appropriate evaluation cycle for districts or schools participating in an innovation zone, with the understanding that widescale results will take time. State leaders should work closely with participating districts and schools to ensure that there is transparency in the application and implementation process, and an understanding of what \u201csuccess\u201d in providing flexibility for innovation looks like. State leaders should also be cognizant of the support that districts may need as they implement new innovations, including the need to connect with and learn from other districts that have innovation zone flexibility. States could create innovation networks or communities of innovative practice that provide a forum for innovation districts and schools to share their experiences, network, and provide valuable learning opportunities and feedback to the state.[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1570576107005{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;background-color: #f6f6f6 !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Related COntent<\/h6>\n

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\n

Issue Brief<\/p>\n

August 31, 2018<\/p>\n

Innovation Zones: Creating Policy Flexibility for Competency-Based Personalized Learning (updated August 2018)<\/a><\/h4>\n

Susan Patrick, Dale Frost, Natalie Truong, Maria Worthen<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Issue Brief<\/p>\n

March 1, 2016<\/p>\n

Innovation Zones: Creating Policy Flexibility for Personalized Learning<\/a><\/h4>\n

Susan Patrick, Susan Gentz<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Issue Brief<\/p>\n

April 7, 2020<\/p>\n

Future Focused State Policy Actions to Transform K-12 Education<\/a><\/h4>\n

Susan Patrick, Alexis Chambers, Natalie Truong<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Report<\/p>\n

August 21, 2020<\/p>\n

Education Policy Issues for the COVID-19 Era: Policy Actions and Responses to Leverage the Moment for Future Readiness<\/a><\/h4>\n

Susan Patrick, Alexis Chambers<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Issue Brief<\/p>\n

November 12, 2020<\/p>\n

Determining Attendance and Alternatives to Seat-Time<\/a><\/h4>\n

Susan Patrick, Alexis Chambers<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Issue Brief<\/p>\n

November 20, 2017<\/p>\n

Redefining Student Success: Profile of a Graduate<\/a><\/h4>\n

Susan Patrick, Natalie Truong, Maria Worthen<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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