Minnesota’s Innovation Zone laws were intended to support innovative and equitable, student-centered learning opportunities. They do this by providing schools and districts flexibility from state laws and rules, and political cover both inside and outside of their district.
Education Evolving led a coalition of organizations and districts that advocated for these these laws, which were passed and amended between 2012 and 2017. We support the concept of Innovation Zones—and celebrate the innovations that they helped to produce (see below)—but they aren’t an active policy priority for us.
Brief History and Zones Created
The original 2012 law enabled two or more school districts to form an Innovation Zone, to collaborate and share resources. In a 2017 law, the Legislature built upon the original idea, but added (1) an emphasis on research and (2) the ability to seek flexibilities from certain state laws and rules.
Four zones were created under the 2012 law, and six under the 2017 law.
Additional Resources
- The original 2012 Innovation Zone law (as amended in 2014)
- The 2017 Innovation Research Zone law
- An FAQ on the 2017 law
- A summary of the 2017 law
- Innovation zones page on the Minnesota Department of Education website
If you are interested in learning more about Innovation Zones please email us at info@educationevolving.org.