Innovation zones can be made possible by state statute, school district policy, or a combination of both. An ideal policy framework should allow for autonomy, flexibility, and customized accountability for those working to redesign schools.
The country's K-12 systems exist in state laws, and school districts are a function of them. Therefore placing the authority to create autonomous schools in state law is important to sustaining a district's commitment to innovation. Otherwise changes in the make-up of political leadership in cities, on district boards, and in district administrations have the potential to jeopardize efforts in motion.
But even where state legislation is not yet enacted, the possibility for innovation exists. Administrators and union leaders can do a lot within the context of their districts by creating separate space for R&D to occur. They may grant waivers to rules and regulations, and move decision making out to the front-line units of schools: teachers and principals.
For anyone thinking about how to proceed to create a state or city-level innovation zone, we have assembled some key elements of good policy.
By following the blog you will find examples of others' work. We encourage you to contact us to visit about what might be done to support the creation of a new-school innovation zones where you live.
*Image: Moving up, West Virginia State Capitol
