Innovation Zone

1. alabama Innovation Zone Alabama State Department of education June 2015 – Boot Camp presentation

2. Welcome and Introduction • Karen Porter • Education Administrator, Deputy State Superintendent’s Office of Teaching and Learning at the Alabama State Department of Education • Administrator for the Innovation Zone • My two reasons for innovation!

3. The Innovator

4. What is innovation? • Overused • Under-defined • Depends on who you ask

5. Defining Innovation • It is an important first step and critical to your plan that you develop a shared understanding of what innovation means within the context of your system and the schools impacted by your plan. How do you define innovation? What does it look like to you? How would you describe it to a colleague?

6. Did you hear this? Innovation Can Be… • Leveraging new or unproven methods or tools to improve practice or solve persistent problems • Identifying tools or practices from another area to be applied in a new context • Thinking in entirely new and different ways • Forcing important choices and accepting trade-offs • Understanding that innovation has no rules, no “right” or “wrong” ways to innovate

7. “It’s even harder in a high-stakes accountability culture that discourages risk-taking, rewards standardization, and understandably eschews the notion of “experimenting” on kids with unproven approaches.”

8. Quick History • PLAN 2020 adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education in 2012– Students graduating prepared for their future • Approved by USDOE in 2013 • Dr. Bice encourages local school systems to think innovatively about how they “do” school and how they provide opportunities for all students when policies, rules, and procedures get in the way of what is best for students • Superintendents respond with waiver requests • Alabama Accountability Act (Act 2013-64) becomes law–March 2013 • With this act, the Innovation Zone is created

9. What does AAA 2013 tell us? • “Innovative schools and school systems may be established… to advance the benefits of local school and school system autonomy in innovation and creativity by allowing flexibility from state laws, regulations, and policies.” • Did you know this? • What does this mean to you?

10. Quick Look at Act 2013-64 • Purpose • Legislative findings and intent • Definitions • Flexibility contract • Innovation plan • Innovative school system requirements and procedures • Innovation plan

11. "An innovation is one of those things that society looks at and says, if we make this part of the way we live and work, it will change the way we live and work." -Dean Kamen Go to the handout Innovation Resources Use your personal device to locate the Alabama State Department of Education’s website, Innovation Zone landing page

12. How do I find the Innovation Zone? • The Alabama State Department of Education Website, www.alsde.edu, houses the landing page for the Innovation Zone • Click on the PLAN 2020 center slide show tab – Schools and Systems, Learn More • Click on Education Professionals in the blue tab at the top of the page, Superintendents/Central Office Staff, Innovation Zone Information • Click on Schools & Systems in the blue tab at the top of the page, School Innovation and Accreditation Resources, Innovation Zone Information • Search box: ALSDE Innovation Zone

13. I’m There, Now What? • Locate the Application – Icon, Yellow tab (Application) • Pending Applications – Applications received and currently being reviewed – Yellow tab • Approved Applications – Applications approved by the State Superintendent – Yellow tab, PLAN 2020 Icon • Act 2013-64, Alabama Accountability Act – Yellow tab

14. Innovation Zone Application Update • January – June 2015 • Enterprise City • Florence City • Huntsville City • Jefferson County • Lawrence County • Marion County • Morgan County • Tuscaloosa County • 2013 – 2014 • Vestavia Hills City • Birmingham City • Elmore County • Baldwin County • Tuscaloosa City • Boaz City • Dothan City • Marshall County

15. A Look at the Application What does an Innovation Plan require?

16. Innovative Thinking! • Local systems are working hard to be innovative and creative, providing more personalized learning options for: • Accelerating students • At-risk students • Non-traditional students

17. Innovative Planning! Creating a strategic partnerships with: • Community and regional partners • Two- and four-year colleges and universities • Business, industry, military, arts, science

18. Leadership’s Role: • Define the dream – What is the vision? Be bold! • Lead to the innovation –What must be done very differently? What will it take to get us there? • Recognize and define potential obstacles – What stands in the way of the innovation? Seek input at multiple levels. • Analyze the information and feedback –What do we know and understand? What do students need? Where do we need to begin? • Lead the way! Innovate toward radically better solutions that are explicitly linked to students’ needs and the needs of educators, family, and community. • Take action to develop a clear and well-articulated plan –Collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders to establish targets, set measureable outcomes, and create a strategic plan.

19. Where are you now? What questions do you have?

20. So, what’s next? What do you want to do? What is your dream for your students? What action will you take?

21. Be exceptional! Lead the way! Contact:Karen Porter kporter@alsde.edu334-242-8154