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Districts of Innovation
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 13, 2017
The recent public hearing on Assembly Bill 221, relating to the minimum number of hours of instruction (see SAA Testimony), focused considerable attention on efforts designed to provide operational and instructional flexibility for Wisconsin school districts. Given this attention, we think this is a perfect opportunity to remind SAA members of the opportunities for flexibility afforded to all Wisconsin school districts under the Districts of Innovation program.
The SAA was the driving force behind Districts of Innovation with SAA members making up 9 of 10 members of the Innovation Working Group charged with advising DPI on the development of the program earlier this year. Under this program, if districts can demonstrate that state laws or regulations are impeding their efforts to improve outcomes for children and articulate a different approach to improving student achievement, DPI will use its authority to get those barriers out of the way.
The working group reviewed innovation policies in other states and created a streamlined innovation process complete with a short state application.
While other states require cumbersome 100+ page applications with extensive documentation, Wisconsin has taken a simplified approach that places responsibility for community engagement, policy review, and goal setting with local school districts. The DPI’s role is to provide technical assistance and ensure the proposed innovation protects student rights.
Through the Innovation District application, districts can request district-wide or school-specific exemptions from state law or administrative rules to implement innovative practices or reduce barriers to student learning, with the goal of improving outcomes for all students. Once approved by DPI, waivers are in effect for four years and are renewable for additional four-year intervals with evidence of improved student outcomes.
Special thanks to the members of the Innovation Working Group, including:
- Jon Bales, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA)
- Kevin Bruggink, Superintendent, Oostburg School District
- Jim Erickson, District Administrator, Webster School District
- Mark Hansen, Superintendent, Elmbrook School District
- Nancy Hendrickson, District Administrator, Highland School District
- Gregg Goers, Teacher, Neenah High School, Neenah School District
- Michelle Langenfeld, Superintendent, Green Bay Area Public School District
- Ted Neitzke, Administrator, Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6
- Randy Nelson. Superintendent, La Crosse School District
- Sue Savaglio-Jarvis, Superintendent, Kenosha Unified School District
The SAA encourages SAA members to look into the opportunities for flexibility afforded to all districts under Districts of Innovation. More information about Districts of Innovation and the application process can be found on the Districts of Innovation website. You can also contact WASDA Executive Director Jon Bales for his insights.
Thanks for listening and, as always, thanks for all your efforts on behalf of the children you serve.
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