organizations, educational collaboratives, consortia of these groups, or other non-profit groups authorized by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. Operation of Innovation Schools Innovation schools operate according to an innovation plan which describes the areas of autonomy and flexibility and specific strategies that will be implemented in the school. At least one of the six areas of autonomy and flexibility must be addressed in this plan, and the applicant can determine which additional areas will be utilized in the short and long term. An innovation plan must include detailed information about the following: Specific instructional, curricular, and assessment strategies that will be implemented to improve student achievement and school performance; Allocation of fiscal and other resources; School schedule and calendar; Specific recruitment, employment, evaluation, and compensation strategies for staff members and, if applicable, a description of proposed waivers from or modifications to collective bargaining agreements; Professional development opportunities for all administrators, teachers, and staff members; and If applicable, proposed waivers from district policies. The innovation plan must also include annual measurable goals that assess factors such as student achievement and school performance. In exchange for the authority to operate the school with increased autonomy, innovation school operators are held responsible for advancing student learning and meeting these annual benchmarks. Innovation schools receive the same per pupil allocation as any other school in the district, and their operators can also secure grants or other types of supplemental funding to implement the innovation plan. Eligible applicants can create an innovation zone that may include a set of schools within a district or geographic region, schools that will operate in accordance with particular instructional or curricular themes, or schools that are defined by other factors as determined by the applicants. In addition, multiple districts can work together to establish an innovation school that would serve students from different communities. Authorization Process Innovation schools are established in accordance with a locally-based authorization process. An eligible applicant submits an initial prospectus to the district superintendent. Within 30 days of receiving the prospectus, the superintendent must convene a screening committee that includes the superintendent or a designee, a school committee member or a designee, and a representative from the local approval from teachers’ union; two-thirds the screening committee is required for the applicant to move forward. An innovation plan committee that includes up to 11 school, district, and community representatives develops the innovation plan.
organizations, educational collaboratives, consortia of these groups, or other non-profit groups authorized by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. Operation of Innovation Schools Innovation schools operate according to an innovation plan which describes the areas of autonomy and flexibility and specific strategies that will be implemented in the school. At least one of the six areas of autonomy and flexibility must be addressed in this plan, and the applicant can determine which additional areas will be utilized in the short and long term. An innovation plan must include detailed information about the following: Specific instructional, curricular, and assessment strategies that will be implemented to improve student achievement and school performance; Allocation of fiscal and other resources; School schedule and calendar; Specific recruitment, employment, evaluation, and compensation strategies for staff members and, if applicable, a description of proposed waivers from or modifications to collective bargaining agreements; Professional development opportunities for all administrators, teachers, and staff members; and If applicable, proposed waivers from district policies. The innovation plan must also include annual measurable goals that assess factors such as student achievement and school performance. In exchange for the authority to operate the school with increased autonomy, innovation school operators are held responsible for advancing student learning and meeting these annual benchmarks. Innovation schools receive the same per pupil allocation as any other school in the district, and their operators can also secure grants or other types of supplemental funding to implement the innovation plan. Eligible applicants can create an innovation zone that may include a set of schools within a district or geographic region, schools that will operate in accordance with particular instructional or curricular themes, or schools that are defined by other factors as determined by the applicants. In addition, multiple districts can work together to establish an innovation school that would serve students from different communities. Authorization Process Innovation schools are established in accordance with a locally-based authorization process. An eligible applicant submits an initial prospectus to the district superintendent. Within 30 days of receiving the prospectus, the superintendent must convene a screening committee that includes the superintendent or a designee, a school committee member or a designee, and a representative from the local teachers’ union; two-thirds approval from the screening committee is required for the applicant to move forward. An innovation plan committee that includes up to 11 school, district, and community representatives develops the innovation plan.