Valley Stream 24 Joins League Learning Collaboratives

The Valley Stream 24 School District is proud to announce its participation in two newly launched learning collaboratives—Student Voice and Engagement and Digital Equity—as part of the prestigious League of Innovative Schools. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Unal Karakas, will collaborate with League members to engage in peer-to-peer learning, develop innovative solutions, and share best practices related to these critical topics.

Valley Stream 24 joins school and district leaders from 59 districts across 22 states participating in one or more learning collaboratives for the 2024-2025 school year.

“Joining forces with education leaders nationwide to amplify student voice, ensure equity in the digital age, and prepare our district for the future of educational innovation is a remarkable opportunity for Valley Stream 24,” said Dr. Karakas. “We are eager to collaborate with members of the League of Innovative Schools to further our shared vision of empowering students and fostering excellence in education.”

The League introduced three Learning Collaboratives this year: Student Voice and Engagement, Digital Equity, and High School Redesign. The Student Voice and Engagement Learning Collaborative provides educational leaders with a framework for building authentic student voice and engagement systems at the school and district levels. As a participant, Dr. Karakas and the Valley Stream 24 team will exchange ideas and strategies to incorporate student input into districtwide decisions.

This initiative builds on Valley Stream 24’s history of valuing student voices, such as the district recently allowing students to vote on menu options for breakfast and lunch.

“The Student Voice and Engagement Learning Collaborative is focused on bringing students to the forefront of discussions, decisions, and changes in public education,” said Dr. Julie Mitchell, former superintendent of the Rowland Unified School District in California and the collaborative’s founder. “For too long, students’ voices have not been prominent—or in some cases, present at all—in decisions and discussions about school processes, policies, and procedures. We hope to change that narrative by equipping schools and districts with practical ways to give students a seat at the table with leaders, staff, and other adults.”

The Digital Equity Learning Collaborative will focus on leadership for digital transformation, systems and resources, equitable access to devices and connectivity, digital competency, and leveraging technology to enhance learning. These areas align with the League’s five domains for digital equity framework.

League members will work collaboratively to refine and enhance their digital equity strategies through cross-functional discussions and shared learning experiences.

“I personally recognize the potential of technology as a tool to revolutionize education, safety, healthcare, and civic engagement, but only if everyone has an equal opportunity to use it,” said Dr. Nathan Fisher, superintendent of Roselle Public Schools in New Jersey and founder of the collaborative. “Unequal access to technology can limit opportunities for individuals and communities, which can hinder success across educational spaces, career opportunities, and even impact one’s civic participation. Ultimately, my vision is to create a more just and equitable society where technology elevates everyone, not just a select privy few. By working together through collaborative efforts, I believe we can make this vision a reality.”

Valley Stream 24 was inducted into the League of Innovative Schools during the League’s Fall 2024 Convening, hosted by the Lindsay Unified School District in Lindsay, California. The district is one of only 14 in New York to hold this prestigious membership.

The League of Innovative Schools, launched in 2011 by Digital Promise, is a national coalition of over 150 school districts committed to advancing education through innovation. Digital Promise’s impact spans over 4.4 million students and 180,000 teachers across 173 districts and 27 countries.
Valley Stream 24’s participation underscores its commitment to empowering students, promoting equity, and shaping the future of education.

For more information about Valley Stream 24, please visit the District’s website at https://valleystreamschooldist... and ‘like’ our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VS24S... #MakeTheConnection #VS24