Innovation Lab Network
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The Innovation Lab Network, or ILN, is a system of states working together to develop and implement new, student-centered approaches to learning. The ILN is composed of schools in several different states and was organized by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in 2012.[1]
Objectives
The main goal of the ILN is to bring innovative learning techniques to the forefront of education. To focus their attempts, the CCSSO has developed six attributes that embody the objectives of the ILN:
- Fostering world-class knowledge and skills
- Student agency (discovering how students learn best)
- Personalized learning
- Performance-based learning
- Anytime/anywhere opportunities
- Providing comprehensive systems of learning supports[1]
The ILN uses the six attributes above as guides to devise innovative and effective education strategies. By using these objectives, ILN schools can pool resources to quickly design, test, and implement effective strategies that all share core values.[1][2]
Participating groups
As mentioned, the ILN is primarily organized by the CCSSO. Originally, only eight states participated in the program, but as of 2014, that list was expanded to ten:
- California
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin[3]
Other organizations with a hand in the ILN are the Stupski Foundation, the Education Policy Improvement Center (EPIC) and the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE).[3][4]
Results
Since its inception, the ILN has made some significant contributions to innovative education. Even before making any distinct changes in the way schools operate, the CCSSO challenges ILN members to question their definition of innovation. Many schools begin to push the limits of their state standards as a result of that challenge.[5]
Since the ILN works towards system-level change, they also attempt to influence legislation. In 2012, Kentucky legislators passed a bill that allows school districts to apply for exemption from certain state standards in order to work towards more effective practices. As a result, Kentucky schools have room to develop new, student-centered programs that may pave the way for education reform.[5]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Council of Chief State School Officers, "Innovation Lab Network," accessed September 19, 2014
- ↑ The Institute at CESA, "Innovation Lab Network," accessed September 19, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Education Policy Improvement Center, "Council of Chief State School Officers: Innovation lab network," accessed September 19, 2014
- ↑ Council of Chief State School Officers, "Partnership for next generation learning innovation labs selected," accessed September 19, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 College and Career Research and Success Center, "Highlights from the innovation lab network," accessed September 19, 2014
