The
Kentucky Innovation Lab Network is a partnership between local school districts and the Kentucky Department of
Education to provide a space
for sharing innovative strategies and learning about ways to transform our
education system. KDE participates in the Council of
Chief State School Officers Innovation Lab Network and is committed to
working with a set of peer states, as well as a group of leading districts
within Kentucky, to advance new models of learning that can best prepare all
students for success in the 21st century.
Any
Kentucky districts with a true commitment to implementing educational
initiatives such as personalized learning, and who are interested in furthering
their conversations with a cohort of committed peers, are welcome to join the
ILN by filling out a letter of commitment. Directions for returning the LOC are at the bottom of the document.
KDE
believes that the greatest benefit of participation in the KYILN is the chance
to network with other Kentucky districts, as well as schools and organizations
outside of the state, to share best practices and learning. In addition, KDE commits
to the KYILN districts in the following ways:
Ongoing technical assistance, supports, and
continued coordination from KDE and its partners.
Support
from KDE for the identification, evaluation, and dissemination of best
practices to KYILN districts and more broadly.
Access
to CCSSO and its resources, including a chance to attend CCSSO convenings.
The
opportunity to join KYILN or CCSSO initiatives; for example, districts may join
a personalized learning study group.
Access
to sources of funding to support personalized learning implementation whenever
possible; for example, KDE's Personalized Learning Study Group Travel Fund Grant is intended to facilitate
cross-country travel to visit exemplar school models, available only to
applicants who are members of the KYILN.
In
return, districts indicate a commitment to the work of the KYILN, including
some of the following practices:
Districts
will make an effort to send representatives to an annual convening.
Districts
will make an effort to have representatives on monthly calls.
Districts
agree to be available to other local districts as a resource.
Districts
will participate in at least one of the KYILN or CCSSO initiatives during the
school year. Examples may include: joining a personalized learning study group;
contributing to educational research efforts; giving feedback on a glossary of
transformative educational terms; or other projects that may arise.
Each
participating district will submit an annual report that highlights 2-3
district specific policies and/or practices. The focus of these reports should
emphasize approaches that move toward vastly improved levels of student
learning and success through redesigned systems.
More
information about the KYILN, including resources, are available on the KY Innovation Lab Network SharePoint site.
(Microsoft login credentials required).