On March 30th, ODE announced the release of this year's application process for the Innovative Education Pilot Program which allows districts, community schools, ESCs, and chartered non-public schools to apply for the state's Innovation Waivers. The program's intention is to provide flexibility to schools to use innovative, and yet still rigorous, instructional approaches that may be more compatible with the educational programs or objectives of the applicants. Application deadline is May 18th @ 5pm.

As Ohio schools struggle to support all learners during the COVID-19 pandemic, innovation regarding how schools and teachers can better serve children - now AND in the future - is more critical than ever.   EnvisionEdPlus is partnering with ODE to host a series of FREE video chats on innovation and exploration of how a school or district might gain additional flexibility by requesting to waive regulations which are barriers to innovation.

Join EnvisionEdPlus and ODE's Dr. Scott Hunt for our upcoming free Waiver Wednesday (Innovation in Action) Video Chats - Wednesdays in April @ 3:30pm - 4:30pm.  

April   8: Understanding Innovative Ed Pilot Program  - recording will be available soon
April 15: Linking Waivers and Innovative Practices (what is available and what is not) 
April 22: Start Small to Go Large (ideas for using iterative design and mini pilots)
April 29: Putting it all Together (suggestions for putting application together)

Agenda

3:30 - 3:35 - Welcome and Introduction
3:35 - 3:50 - Innovative Education Pilot Program (Background, requirements, application overview)
3:50 - 4:00 -  Local perspective (one interested school shares their WHY)
4:00 - 4:20  - Q/A with Dr. Hunt
4:20 - 4:25 - Wrap up and information on next week's video chat