Norwalk Public Schools Joins Network Of Innovative School Districts

Information via Norwalk Public Schools

NORWALK, CT — District officials announced Monday that Norwalk Public Schools has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools (the League), a national network of school districts that connects and supports the most forward-thinking leaders in education.

According to a news release provided by the district, the League is organized by Digital Promise, a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner by bridging solutions across research, practice, and technology.

Norwalk Public Schools was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to equity and excellence, innovative vision for learning, key achievements, and collaborative spirit, according to the district.

Since 2011, the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools has spearheaded innovative learning and leadership practices and accepts new members through an open application process once per year.

"As teaching and learning rapidly evolve amidst the advent of new technologies, the League’s mission to connect innovative education leaders is more vital than ever," Jillian Doggett, director of network support at Digital Promise, said in a news release. "Through its network of forward-thinking leaders, the League provides school districts with opportunities to leverage research-backed approaches for addressing complex challenges; stay at the forefront of cutting-edge educational practices; and implement innovative solutions that meet the needs of all students."

According to the district, league members are represented by their superintendent, who has access to unique professional learning opportunities, including:

• Attending biannual League convenings, which feature school visits, deep-dive breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
• Connecting through regular in-person and virtual programs and events to see innovations from other districts in action, deepen relationships, and share and learn.
• Engaging with other forward-thinking education leaders from around the country around key challenges and generating best practices and resources.
• Partnering with Digital Promise to pilot new models and co-design solutions that benefit educators and students.

The full list of members can be found at digitalpromise.org/districts.

"Norwalk Public Schools proudly joins the League of Innovative Schools, embracing the opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking districts nationwide," Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said in a news release. "We aim to equip students for success in an ever-changing world, and we look forward to working with The League to bring more opportunities to our schools."

Working with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities, the League of Innovative Schools equips superintendents and district leaders to help shape the future of teaching and learning through hands-on opportunities to collaborate, connect, and learn, district officials said.

League members have access to unique opportunities to co-create, pilot, and scale innovative practices, apply learnings to their own districts, and identify and promote promising practices to other districts across the country, according to the district.

The League officially welcomed Norwalk Public Schools and other new members at its spring convening from March 18-21, 2024, held in-person in New York, N.Y.

The new members' entrance into the League contributes toward the network’s reach of more than 150 districts across 38 states, and expands its cumulative impact to 4.4 million students served over time, district officials said.