A: The program creates the opportunity for one or more school districts, district schools, and/or charter schools to apply for a special “innovation research zone” status under Minnesota law. That status allows for some statutory flexibility, as well as a formally recognized status that can be helpful, both externally in arranging partnerships and internally in politically defending attempts at innovation.
A: The legislation was passed during the 2017 legislative session. Education Evolving led a coalition that included Minnesota Association of School Administrators, the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, the Minnesota School Boards Association, and was supported by Schools for Equity in Education and EdAllies.
Importantly, the innovation research zones legislation is distinct from the Innovation Pilot Project legislation that the Minnesota legislature passed in 2012. This earlier legislation established five year innovation pilot projects, but did not provide districts with the opportunity to apply for statutory exemptions.
A: Some of the benefits expressed by those who applied for and received the innovation research zone status are:
A: There are five areas, listed in statute, where innovation research zones can ask for exemption:
A: The commissioner can approve up to six innovation research zones—three in the seven-county metropolitan area and three in greater Minnesota. EE will be working to raise this cap in future legislative sessions (see below for more information).
A: In spring 2017, the commissioner approved six innovation research zones for the 2018-2019 academic year. However, one of the seven-county metro applicants declined the status. This created one opening for an innovation research zone for the seven-county metro area.
A: The five remaining approved innovation research zones, as of June 2018, are:
A: Yes, there is currently one slot available for a metro area innovation research zone. In response to feedback from multiple stakeholders, MDE will be editing the application and process for the 2018-19 academic year. MDE expects to open the application in early fall 2018. EE will be working with MDE and will provide updates as they come up.
A: The innovation research zone application must include the following information:
A: The legislation created an Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel, which reviews submitted innovation zone plans and recommends them for approval to the commissioner of education. The commissioner, however, has final decision-making authority on plan approval.
A: The panel is comprised of the following members:
A: Rejected applicants can re-submit their plan after the innovation zone partnership has modified their plan to meet each of the objections.
A: For the 2019 legislative session, EE will be working with their Student-Centered Learning Policy Advisory Council, other organizations, and legislators to raise or remove the current cap and to add exemptions, which will be informed by stakeholders.