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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 16, 2017 05:23 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Patrick M. Browne |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Innovation Schools and Innovation School Zones |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to establish innovation schools and innovation school zones. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states must identify and address low-performing schools. Low-performing schools are defined as those in the lowest-performing 5%; high schools graduating less than two-thirds of students (67%) and those schools whose subgroups are consistently underperforming as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The legislation will designate these low-performing schools as innovation schools and assign certain buildings as innovation school zones. Within the innovation school zones, community-based, supports and services will be offered to the school, along with interventions provided by PDE. Innovation schools will have increased authority, flexibility and access to resources to meet the academic and social need of the students and community. An innovation school is identified by PDE as being in the lowest 5% of performing schools or a school can self-identify and apply to PDE for selection as an innovation school. These schools would substantiate their identification as an innovation school based on academic challenges, a high aid ratio, high student poverty rates, and/or a significant number of students that are English language learners. Innovation school zones are the geographic area from which a school building that is designated as an innovation school draws its students. Once designated, the innovation school will review academic programs, management and operations of the school, as well as evaluate other needs for services and access to programs that are applicable to the students, parents and the innovation school zone community. Community groups will be encouraged to participate in full-service programs within the innovation school zone and social and wrap-around services will be provided within the school environment. PDE will coordinate the services for innovation school zones and innovation schools, as well as develop trainings and professional services. Schools may exit the innovation school zone if their SPP score has risen to above 65% or above or it has increased its SPP score by at least 5 points annually for three years. Any of the programs, services, incentives and waivers that were part of the school’s innovation plan may continue to be funded if they are deemed a successful component of the increases in achievement and success. ESSA recognizes that it is important to address school’s low performance holistically, and the innovation schools and innovation school zones target the needs of school, families and communities to promote student achievement and long-term success. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation. |