The innovation area is within the Innovation, Choice and Engagement Division. The purpose of this area is to provide support and information to boards, districts, schools and individuals about the process to receive innovation designation. This office strives to identify districts and schools that could benefit from innovation status.
The Innovation Schools Act provides a pathway for schools and districts to develop innovative practices, better meet the needs of individual students and allow more autonomy to make decisions at the school-level. The Act allows a public school or group of public schools to submit an innovation plan to its' local board of education. The plan is designed to increase student outcomes at the school(s). Once approved, school district boards of education must submit the innovation plans and waiver requests to the Colorado State Board of Education for approval.
Office Responsibilities
- Staff reviews innovation applications and coordinates additional review from CDE staff in areas such as: budget compliance, special education compliance, educator effectiveness and turnaround grant compliance
- Provide staff recommendations for the State Board about innovation applications submitted for State Board approval
- Inform boards, districts, schools and individuals about the purpose of receiving innovation status and the process to receive innovation designation
- Conduct meetings and conversations with individuals to help them identify if innovation status is a good option for a district or school
- Collect innovation school data and produce and annual report on innovation schools by March 1st
Data and Statistics-Innovation Schools
- List of Innovation Schools Approved by State Board (by District and Approval Date)
- Approved State Waivers-Innovation Schools (June, 2014)
- 2013 Innovation Schools by District (April 4, 2014)
- 2013-2014 Enrollment by School and Grade Level (March 6, 2014)
- 2013 Pupil Percentage by District (March 6, 2014)
- 2013 Innovation School Enrollment Demographics (April 4, 2014)
- 2013 % Free and Reduced Price Lunch Eligible Students (March 6, 2014)
- Archive: innovation school applications and supporting documents
Annual Reports
- 2013 Districts of Innovation Annual Report
- 2012 Districts of Innovation Annual Report
- 2011 Districts of Innovation Annual Report
- 2010 Districts of Innovation Annual Report
Supporting Documents
- Statute
- Fact Sheet
- S.B. 10-191 Guidance for Innovation Schools
- Memo for Innovation Schools seeking to waiver teacher licensure
Submitting an Innovation Plan
- Guidance for the Innovation Schools Act (updated Aug. 2013)
- Innovation Plan Cover Page-MUST SUBMIT AS FIRST PAGE OF THE INNOVATION PLAN!
- Innovation Guidance Appendix A Checklist
- Innovation Guidance Appendix B Waivers
- Application Process Flowchart
- State Board of Education Innovation Schools Act Procedures
Resources
- Options for Autonomous Schools in Colorado: A Handbook for School and District Leaders
- Get Smart Schools-Innovation School Support
- Fact Sheet on Innovation Schools
For more information about the innovation process, contact:
Kelly Rosensweet, Innovation, Choice and Engagement Division
rosensweet_k@cde.state.co.us
