1. District of Innovation
Application and Information Webinar
October 13, 2017
Jean Massey
Executive Director
Office of Secondary Education

4. What is a District of Innovation?
A district that
has developed a Plan of Innovation in compliance with Section 1 of SB2191
has been approved by the State Board of Education

5. SB 2191 Objectives
Reducing achievement gaps among groups of students by expanding learning experiences for students identified as academically low-achieving
Increasing pupil learning through the implementation of high, rigorous standards for student performance
Increasing participation of all students or subgroups in various curriculum and instructional components to enhance student achievement
Increasing the number of students who are college and career ready and reduce the number of students that exit high school in need of remediation
Motivating students by expanding curriculum choices and learning opportunities for students

6. Do I need to apply for DoI status?
There are many programs that are innovative that do not require significant waivers and can be approved by the MDE in other ways.
An MDE representative will work with you to determine if an application is necessary.

7. District of Innovation Application Details
Districts should apply when they require a significant number of waivers from accreditation policies or state laws that hinder the desired innovation
Collaboration between the district and MDE will determine if an application for an Innovative School under SB2191 is required or not
A committee from MDE will collaborate with districts and review plans to approve Innovative Status to eligible districts
Recommendation for approval will be based on the application fit with SB2191 and the appropriateness of performance measures within the plan
The MDE will award Innovative Status to no more than five districts or five joint district applications each year

8. District of Innovation Approval Terms
Plans are approved for five years
All districts approved will be monitored by MDE for progress and continued support during the five-year term.
The district may request adjustments to their innovation plan during the five-year term if the following scenarios occur:
1. A waiver becomes required due to the nature of the innovative model
identified in the innovation plan
2. A waiver becomes required due to new federal or state policies that
address the operation of an innovative school

9. Innovation Application Components
Innovative Program Design
Accountability/Effectiveness and Performance Targets
Students
Funding
Staffing
Stakeholders/Collaboration
Governance
Waivers and Exemptions
Timeline of Activities • Assurances

10. #1 Innovative Program Design
Describe the proposed program and how it differs from a traditional model.
Explain what makes the proposed program innovative.
Describe the specific innovative model being followed.
Explain how the innovation fits within the existing district vision and mission.
Describe how the proposed innovation at multiple schools within the district support the larger vision or goal.
Describe the vision and broad goals for the school.
Explain how it ensures students are college and career ready.
Describe what facilities will be used for the innovative model.
Identify any extracurricular, exploratory, or experiential activities that are planned and explain how they support the goal of college/career readiness.

11. #2 Accountability and Performance
Identify the annual student performance targets.
Identify other measures of school performance.
Identify student and school performance targets for year one and revised targets for each of the following years.
Describe how the schools will monitor and report interim achievement and progress during the school year to the district and to MDE.

12. #3 Students Include the description of the target student population.
Describe how the innovation will impact student achievement.
Explain how the program will address student achievement gaps.
Identify the number of students served.
Identify the grade level(s) served.
If the innovation involves a cohort of students, describe the selection and admission process for students.
Describe the student dismissal process from the innovative program.

13. #4 Funding
Explain the funds sources to be used for the innovative program.
Address costs and plans for projected costs of the following:
Personnel Transportation
Meals Instructional Materials
Technology Facilities
Professional Development Other costs
Include a detailed 3-year budget projection.
Address sustainability for years four and five.

14. #5 Staffing
Include an organization plan that describes the plan for shared leadership with teachers in the school(s).
Describe the qualifications required for individuals employed in the program.
Include evidence of staff and stakeholder support for the proposed innovation.
Describe the professional development planned for staff that directly relates to the proposed innovation that includes job-embedded support.
Include a 3-year staffing plan.

15. #6 Stakeholders and Collaboration
Include evidence of stakeholder support and capacity to create the change desired in the school.
Explain the plan for ongoing collaboration and the roles that the following groups of people will play in the school(s):
• Parents • Education partners
• Business/Industry partners • Community partners
Include documentation of the following items necessary for the implementation of the innovative school(s) or district:
Partner agreements
Memoranda of understanding
Other legal agreements

16. #7 Governance
Describe the proposed governance structure planned for the school.
Include a description of the advisory board to support the proposed innovation.
Describe the district’s role in the following:
School oversight
Support
Professional development
Reporting and monitoring

17. #8 Waivers and Exemptions
Include requests for waivers of any state or local policies, requirements, or restrictions.
Include the rationale for the waiver connected to the proposed innovation.
Districts of Innovation may request exemptions from regulatory areas.
Districts may request additional waivers if the waiver is needed to support innovative practices and does not violate any federal regulations.
Districts are not allowed to request a waiver from state assessment requirements.
Districts must meet the requirements of the current Mississippi Accountability Standards unless specifically described in the innovation plan and approved by the SBE.

18. Examples of Waivers and Exemptions
Use of capital outlay for operation costs
Use certain exemptions in the hiring process and licensing
Develop alternate salary schedules for extra or extended duty
Create flexible school schedules and school year calendars
Promote programs between districts and educational entities
Create nontraditional learning environments
Use of blended instructional practices such as online learning to meet graduation requirements
Employ creative funding strategies

19. #9 Timeline of Activities
Explain the planning activities that have taken place up to the point of application submission.
Explain the key planning activities that still remain from the time of the plan submission to the opening of the school.
Explain the continual monitoring practices that will occur throughout the implementation process.

20. #10 Assurances
The application must include statements of assurances that the district is in compliance with the regulatory items identified in the Waivers and Exemption section of the Administrative Rules and Procedures Implementation.
The following regulatory areas shall be met:
Ensure the same health, safety, civil rights, and disability rights requirements as are applied to all public schools.
Ensure students meet compulsory attendance requirements under Sections and
Ensure that high school course offerings meet or exceed the minimum required under sections and , for high school graduation or meet early graduation requirements that may be enacted by the Mississippi Legislature.
Ensure the student performance standards meet or exceed those adopted by the State Board of Education as required by Sections , , and , including compliance with the statewide assessment system specified in Chapter 16, title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972.

21. #10 Regulatory Assurances – continued
Adhere to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as are applied under Section (e).
Require state and criminal background checks for staff and volunteers as required of all public school employees and volunteers within the public schools and specified in Section
Comply with open records and open meeting requirements under Sections et seq. and et seq.
Comply with purchasing requirements and limitations under Chapter 39, title 37, Mississippi Code of
Provide overall instructional time that is equivalent or greater than that required under Sections and , but which may include on-site instruction, distance learning, online courses, and work- based learning on nontraditional school days or hours.
Provide data to the department as deemed necessary to generate school and district reports.

22. Sample Process Timeline
District
MDE
Year prior to school implementation
Notify the Office of Secondary Education of interest or intent to apply for Innovative District status. Collaborate with local stakeholders
Assign a contact for district consultation during plan development
October to December
Work with MDE contact and stakeholders to develop plan for the innovative school.
Provide support to district
December 15
Submit application with evidence of school board support for application. If chosen as DoI, the school will be approved for a 5-year period.
Verify applications; review applications; score applications
January
Prepare district leadership. Key stakeholders from districts will participate in MDE interview, if chosen as a finalist.
Review of applications; selection for interview, and finalists chosen for recommendation.
February
Present recommendations to the State Board of Education

23. Approval Process
Applications are reviewed and scored by an MDE committee according to the SB2191 District of Innovation Application Review process.
The committee will select districts to participate in an interview.
The committee will present recommendations for Districts of Innovation approval to the State Board of Education.

24. Amendment to the Plan
Requests for amendment(s) the District of Innovation plan may be submitted as needed.
After review by the MDE committee, a recommendation may be submitted the State Board of Education for approval.
The MDE will respond to the amendment requests within 60 days.

25. Revocation of the Plan
If a situation arises where an innovative model is simply not sustainable, not successful, or not meeting the purpose of SB2191, the following procedure will apply:
1. The school and district will be notified by the MDE of deficiencies and concerns related to the success and sustainability of the school. The MDE may require certain actions to take place in this notification.
2. The district will have 30 days to respond with a plan to alleviate the issues.
3. Key district leaders will appear before a MDE committee to explain how they will address the concerns.

26. Revocation of the Plan
The MDE committee may take either of the following actions:
Recommend to the SBE that the innovative plan be revoked and the school be returned to “regular” status with a minimum amount of academic disruption.
Allow the district to continue in Innovative Status by taking all actions required by the committee. MDE shall monitor the actions as necessary.

27. Revocation of the Plan
If the district disagrees with MDE’s deficiencies and concerns related to the success and sustainability of the school, the district may submit a rebuttal within 30 days for review by the MDE committee.
Should a district who has been awarded Innovative Status decide to terminate approved innovations, the district shall submit a plan to the MDE outlining the reason for the decision.
Districts may submit termination plans at any time during the school year but will go into effect the following school year.

28. Renewal of the Plan
Requests for renewals must be submitted no later than November 30th in the 5th year of the term. If approved, renewals will be for no more than five years.

29. Questions?

30. Jean Massey
Executive Director
Office of Secondary Education