As members, the districts will be able to connect with educators across the country to discuss education innovations, collaborate on solutions and pilot promising ideas.
The League of Innovative Schools includes more than 150 school districts in 34 states and has impacted an estimated 4.4 million students since Digital Promise was formally launched by former President Barack Obama in 2011. Through their collaborations, the league has completed 145 research and pilot projects, ranging from creating guidance on acceptable AI use to researching the impact of racial trauma on students’ mental health.
The 30 districts were selected for “their educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to equity and excellence, innovative vision for learning, key achievements, and collaborative spirit,” according to a news release.
In the release, some superintendents of the districts highlighted their integration of new technologies into education.
One district in New York created innovation labs at its schools where students of all grade levels can code, design video games and print 3D creations.
Another New York district used AI and data analytics to personalize learning to each student’s pace and style. The district superintendent cited its use of micro-credentialing, a relatively new approach to education through short, often self-guided, narrowly focused courses that may feel more useful or interesting to students.
In California, one district created its own LTE network to ensure every student had Internet access at home. Other districts focused on initiatives outside of tech.
Many cited collaborations with community organizations to help meet student needs. A California district opened a school-based health clinic and provided free dental screenings; yet another used partnerships with local health and social service providers to connect students and families with mental health counseling services, health-care providers, food security programs and housing assistance.
Three districts incorporated language immersion programs in Spanish, some offering additional languages like Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese.
Several districts shared their initiatives to connect with parents and caregivers of diverse backgrounds through discussion groups, interactive tours and student-led talks.
Regardless of the initiative, the districts took care to ensure their efforts reach students of diverse backgrounds.
“Our esports lab and course opened up new avenues for students from diverse backgrounds to engage in a high-interest, skill-building activity,” Shawn Foster, superintendent of Orangeburg County School District in South Carolina, said in a public statement. “This initiative helped bridge the digital divide and ensured that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, had the opportunity to develop valuable skills in a supportive environment.”
