Innovation, in Education

Innovation is the act of introducing something new, a change in customs, contrary to established traditions. Innovation is an idea that is new to the person(s) or organization(s) even if the concept is not original. Innovations in educational leadership may deal with governance, school organization and management, whole school reform, and curricular or instructional strategies and delivery systems.

As requirements for accountability and improved student performance increased, so have the demands to alter the educational governance structure between the schools, districts, and states. Educational governance, in the broadest terms, is how the educational system is organized and power is allocated. It includes processes for decision making, formal roles and responsibilities, and the relationship between the state and local educational systems.

As states have demanded accountability for student performance on content and performance standards, districts and schools gained more autonomy. Along with autonomy comes responsibility for student achievement, with many states having punitive legislation for schools and districts that do not meet expectations. Through the power of appropriated federal funds, the federal government has influence over state and local educational policies. The No Child Left Behind Act is an example of legislated goals, tests, and changes in schools, including rewards and punishments for those who fail to meet the mandates.

Innovations in school governance and organization include charter schools, site-based management, vouchers, school choice, and teacher leadership, to name but a few. Charter schools are public schools that operate with fewer guidelines than regular public schools. This allows them to pursue innovative teaching methods and organizational structures that lead to student improvement. Vouchers are tuition payment for students to attend a private school or an out-ofdistrict public school. School choice usually means that students can attend any public school of their choice in the school district. These reform efforts are market-driven strategies based on competition, forcing schools to improve.

As standards-driven accountability increased, shared decision making (SDM) or shared leadership emerged, giving schools and teachers more authority and power to make decisions. Shared leadership attempts to deal with the power relationships within schools. School advisory councils were created to involve parent and community members. Reports on student achievement in charter schools, schools that accept vouchers, and schools that use shared decision making offer mixed results of success. Schools are left with structures that are more complex, and changes in governance have not altered classroom instruction.

Changes in curricular strategies and delivery systems are influenced by beliefs, values, and principles of teachers and administrators, school environment, and through legislation and the courts. Curricular innovations can be subject specific or schoolwide models, which are aimed at school improvement through governance structures and/or curriculum strategies. The federal government funds the Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) program for high-poverty, low-achieving schools that choose to implement scientifically-based [Page 508]reforms and effective practices. There are 30 wholeschool models and 10 reading/language arts models that can be selected by schools. Some of the wholeschool models for K–12 are Accelerated Schools, First Things First, Integrated Thematic Instruction, and School Renaissance. The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Web site takes applications from those who wish to be included on the list of approved models. To be included, models must meet criteria: (a) demonstrated evidence of effectiveness in improving student performance in a core academic subject, (b) the model has been implemented in multiple states, and (c) the organization has the capacity to expand, offer training and support in the implementation of the model, and (d) the model is substantial and comprehensive in its vision for teaching and learning. Schools also have the option of developing their own model based on scientifically based research. Delivery systems such as block scheduling, student groupings for instruction, and technology influence teaching strategies. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) focuses on teaching and learning and promotes inclusion of special education students through a free and appropriate education. This has created innovative opportunities for special education and regular teachers to coteach and coplan. Teaching methods and techniques similar to differentiated instruction conflict with proponents of those who espouse the scientifically based models of instruction.

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