New Models for Public Schools

The summer has been a busy one as Delaware prepares to implement Year 1 of Race to the Top initiatives. Innovative Schools - a local, non-profit public school support center - is proud and eager to join other educators as we begin the 2010-2011 school year and engage in the excitement of this unprecedented opportunity.

In the words of Ron Wolk, Founding Editor of Education Week and Teacher Magazine, "Our challenge is not to reform schools, it is to redesign them." In alignment with this philosophy, Innovative Schools has restructured to provide services that empower educators and communities to adopt modern school models proven to inspire passionate teaching and learning.

The foundation of this work is our Innovative School Models division. Innovative Schools has crafted this division by researching high performing school models across the country that are dramatically improving student achievement and graduation rates for all students. Our goal is to support schools and districts in replicating these models in Delaware to create more choices for families and to better prepare our students for the 21st Century. We believe that this work can not be completed in isolation, but must involve all stakeholders. To increase our ability to support schools and districts in this process, we have expanded our expertise through a National Advisory Board and added new staff with direct experience in Delaware's public schools.

I hope you will take a few moments to review this newsletter, read the recommended reading, sign up for our Model School Tours, and share your input by joining Innovative Schools on Facebook.

We look forward to communicating with you more frequently throughout the 2010-2011 school year and joining with you as we look to modernize Delaware's public education system.

Sincerely,

Debbie Doordan, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Innovative Schools

Innovative School Model Showcase

Thank you to all of the Delaware educators from across the state that attended Innovative Schools' first "Innovative School Model Showcase" on August 17th.

The Showcase featured presentations on outstanding school designs that are utilizing new, modern methods of teaching and learning that represent the future of schooling. Innovative Schools is bringing these models to Delaware to redesign public schools, offer unique learning opportunities, and increase the number of high quality choices that meet student's individual learning styles.

Attendees included representatives from thirteen Delaware school districts, the Delaware Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and many other key stakeholders. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

"Informative. Inspiring."

"For all schools, especially middle and high schools, I believe that this would make a difference."

"A great first step for districts looking to select a new model for school improvement."

"Thank you for playing a leadership role in bringing models of innovation to Delaware."

Many of you had good questions about the Models presented and how they may be implemented here in Delaware. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers to those questions, click here.

To view pictures from the Showcase, visit us on Facebook.

For additional information on each of the models presented, click here, or contact Chuck Baldwin, Director of Innovative School Models at cbaldwin@innovativeschools.org or at 302-656-4737.

What Do You Think?

Innovative Schools would like to hear your thoughts. As we look for innovative and modern school models to replicate in Delaware, we'd like to hear from you:

"What should a 21st Century Education look like?"

Share your feedback by joining our discussion board on Facebook. Also, join our network on LinkedIn.

Model School Tours - Fall 2010

There is no better way to learn about the Innovative School Models presented at the Showcase than to visit schools where the model is being implemented. When you see a model firsthand, you can visualize the possibilities for your school and community.

To facilitate such visits, Innovative Schools offers Model School Tours paid for through philanthopic funding. The tours enable Delaware school representatives to explore outstanding school models being implemented outside this state and judge for themselves whether a model is a good fit for replication in Delaware.

Model School Tours feature a full-day tour at a school site with similar demographics represented in Delaware's schools, and includes interviews with students, teachers, and administrators as well as classroom observation.

Who Should Attend a Model School Tour?

Model School Tours are designed to engage a variety of stakeholders - Board members, district office staff, principals, teachers, and parent representatives. These multiple perspectives help create a rich conversation about the best potential fit for your community and helps to lay the groundwork for successful implementation.

If you match the description above and are interested in attending a Model School Tour, please contact Katie Gallup at kgallup@innovativeschools.org. Dates for Model School Tours are listed below in the section "Mark Your Calendar!"

Engage Your Community Around School Change

Make Mine a Model School Campaign

Schools and districts looking to implement new school models should engage their local communities to determine the best fit. Parents and students will need to understand how these models will benefit their students and better prepare them for the 21st Century.

To support schools and districts in engaging in these important conversations, Innovative Schools has initiated the "Make Mine a Model School" campaign - a statewide initiative designed to mobilize Delaware educators, students, families, and communities who want modern schools that inspire passionate teaching and learning. The campaign has been designed with 4 action steps to allow a variety of stakeholders to share their voice.

To learn more, visit the Make Mine A Model School website at www.makemineamodelschool.org.

Recommended Reading

Education: The Case for Making it Personal

Innovative Schools continues our research on informative readings with unique perspectives on education. This month's recommended reading is written by Ron Wolk, Founding Editor of Education Week and Teacher Magazine, and Chairman of the Big Picture Learning Board of Directors.

To read the article, Education: The Case for Making It Personal, click here.

CHANGES AT INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS

Innovative Schools Welcomes New Board President; Advisory Board

Innovative Schools is proud to welcome Matthew Swanson as the new President of Innovative Schools' Board of Directors. He takes over this position from Paul Herdman, President of the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, who served the organization as Board Chair for seven years. Innovative Schools has accomplished a great deal during Dr. Herdman's tenure and we'd like to extend our thanks for his service as Board Chair.

Matthew Swanson is a a local entrepreneur with a passion for education. His entrepreneurial skills will be a valuable asset to Innovative Schools as the organization begins to restructure into three service divisions designed to better support all public schools engaging in extensive education reform. The three divisions include:

Innovative School Models - Creating the next generation of schools
Innovative School Staffing - Generating new teacher and school leader talent
Innovative School Solutions - Streamlining administrative functions to redirect dollars to the classroom.

As Board Chair, Mr. Swanson leads a six member, locally-based Board of Directors and a newly formed seven member Advisory Board. The new advisors expand representation from local public and charter schools and also includes several national representatives with diverse perspectives on education reform. Advisory Board members will provide focused input and informed guidance to the locally-based Board of Directors in support of Innovative Schools' expansion.

Click here to review the full list of Innovative Schools' Board and Advisory Board members and to read their bios.

New Staff Members

In alignment with Innovative Schools restructuring and to increase our capacity to support more public schools, we are proud to welcome several new staff members to our team:

Chuck Baldwin

Director of Innovative School Models

Amanda Dixon

Administrative Assistant

Dawn Downes

Instructional Support Specialist

Matthew Joyce

Director of Finance and Operations