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Innovation Zone

ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

JUNE 2015 – BOOT CAMP PRESENTATION

ALABAMA

 

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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!

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What is innovation?OverusedUnder-definedDepends on who you ask

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Defining Innovati

on

 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?

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Did you hear this? Innovation Can Be…

Leveraging new or unproven methods or tools to improve practice or solve persistent problemsIdentifying tools or practices from another area to be applied in a new contextThinking in entirely new and different waysForcing important choices and accepting trade-offsUnderstanding that innovation has no rules, no “right” or “wrong” ways to innovate

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“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.”

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Quick History

PLAN 2020 adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education in 2012– Students graduating prepared for their futureoApproved 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 studentsoSuperintendents respond with waiver requests

Alabama Accountability Act (Act 2013-64) becomes law–March 2013 o With this act, the Innovation Zone is created

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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?

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Quick Look at Act 2013-64

PurposeLegislative findings and intentDefinitionsoFlexibility contractoInnovation plan

Innovative school system requirements and proceduresInnovation plan

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Go to the handout Innovation Resources

Use your personal device to locate the Alabama State Department of Education’s website, Innovation Zone landing page

"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

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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

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I’m There, Now What?

Locate the Application – Icon, Yellow tab (Application)Pending Applications – Applications received and currently being reviewed – Yellow tabApproved Applications – Applications approved by the State Superintendent – Yellow tab, PLAN 2020 IconAct 2013-64, Alabama Accountability Act – Yellow tab

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Innovation Zone Application Update

     2013 – 20141. Vestavia Hills City2. Birmingham City3. Elmore County4. Baldwin County5. Tuscaloosa City6. Boaz City7. Dothan City8. Marshall County

January – June 20151. Enterprise City2. Florence City3. Huntsville City4. Jefferson County5. Lawrence County6. Marion County7. Morgan County8. Tuscaloosa County

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A Look at the

Application

What does an Innovation Plan 

require?

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Innovative Thinking!

 Local systems are working hard to be innovative and creative, providing more personalized learning options for:

Accelerating studentsAt-risk studentsNon-traditional students

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Innovative Planning!

Creating a strategic partnerships with:

Community and regional partners

Two- and four-year colleges and universities

Business, industry, military, arts, science

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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.

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Where are you

now?

What questions do you have?

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So, what’s next?

What do you want to do?

What is your dream for your students?

What action will you take?

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Contact: Karen Porter

kporter@alsde.edu 334-242-8154

Be exceptional! Lead the way!