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There were six zones created under Minnesota’s 2017 law, and four under the 2012 law.
Innovation Zones Under 2017 Law
1. Hmong Language and Culture Beat the Odds
Aimed to support Hmong students by enhancing language development, cultural immersion, and academic growth through specialized teacher preparation and Hmong Immersion programs. Using Swivl technology for lesson capture and guided by an advisory team, the initiative seeks to certify Hmong-fluent teachers, improve literacy and math outcomes, and reduce economic proficiency gaps.
Partners: Hmong American Partnership, Community School of Excellence, Prairie Seeds Academy, New Millennium Academy.
2. TriDistrict College and Career Readiness Initiative
Aimed to enhance career and college readiness by increasing the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of students in immersive learning experiences. Partners developed career-focused courses and pathways that incorporated internships, mentorships, and rigorous coursework aligned with personalized post-secondary education plans.
Partners: Inver Grove Heights Community Schools, South St. Paul Public Schools, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Public Schools, Intermediate District 917, North American Trailer, Twin Cities Orthopedics.
3. Montevideo-Benson BEST (Building Exceptional Student Talents)
Harnessed the innovative thinking of students and teachers to transform education into a more personalized and meaningful experience. Students set personal goals, learned in their preferred styles, explored vocational interests and career pathways, engaged in authentic learning opportunities, and demonstrated mastery through competency-based methods, empowering them to take charge of their own education.
Partners: Montevideo Public Schools, Benson Public Schools, Minnesota River Valley Education District, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Montevideo Economic Development Authority, Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, CNH Industrial.
4. Bloomington New Visions for Pathways to Graduation
The initiative piloted an integrated E-5 educational system that connected early learning programs with K-5 academics under the leadership of elementary principals. It also developed systems to identify effective teachers and strategies for English Learners and created alternative graduation pathways to provide students with more flexible credit and testing options.
Partners: Bloomington Public Schools, Valley View Elementary, Valley View Middle School, Kennedy High School, Jefferson High School, Normandale Community College, Bloomington Public Health, SERVMN (MN Reading Corps), Insight Works.
5. Norman County West Innovation Program
Students received career and college training through authentic, hands-on learning experiences, equipping them for immediate employment or further education. Many participants earned certifications, accreditations, job placements, or college credits, allowing them to accelerate their career paths and reduce time spent in higher education.
Partners: Normal County West (District 2527), Halstad Living Center, Compass Business Consultants, Dekko Foundation/Shock n’Awe, Magnell Custom Cabinets and Woodworking, Halstad Elevator Company, Halstad Telephone Company.
6. Janesville Waldorf Pemberton Vision 2020
Aimed to bridge equitable access to programs across districts, through student-centered learning environments, personalized instruction, and alternative graduation pathways. It expanded access to shared programs, staff, and learning management systems while enhancing career and technical education opportunities, industry certifications, and college credit options for participating schools.
Partners: St James Public Schools, Fairmont Area Schools, Waseca Public Schools, St. Peter Public Schools, Sleepy Eye Public Schools, Tri City United, Granada, Huntley East Chain, South Central Service Cooperative.
7. Saint Paul Public Schools Graduation Program for EL Students (approved but declined by partner district)
The initiative established a program to identify and recruit older-than-average English Learner students from traditional high schools, guiding them and their families in selecting an alternative learning center and creating a graduation plan. It leveraged flexible educational services to support EL students until age 22.
Partners: Saint Paul Public School District, LEAP High School, Gateway to College ALC (GtC)
Innovation Zones Under the 2012 Law
1. New Designs for Education
The New Designs for Education Innovation Zone is comprised of Farmington Area Schools and Spring Lake Park Schools Districts. The Zone began during the 2013-14 academic year and is currently approved through 2017-18. New Design’s leaders believe that technology is key to helping every student reach their full potential, and that learning of the future will take place largely online and will be driven by personalized technology.
To align with this belief, the districts provide a digital learning platform with 24/7 access, as well as more flexibility in the way students and teachers use their time via personalized learning pathways. In addition, the districts have used technology to enrich the interactions between staff and students, and to cultivate a “culture of learning.” Further, the staff from both districts share professional learning and participate in “Innovation by Design” retreats.
2. South-Central Education Consortium
The South-Central Education Consortium is a partnership between Leroy-Ostrander, Southland, Lyle, Grand Meadow, Glenville-Emmons School Districts. These districts are located in southern Minnesota and together serve about 1,500 students. The Consortium’s Innovation Zone status started during the 2013-14 academic year and will last through 2017-18. The Consortium is focused on providing secondary students with the skills that are needed to land jobs that are in high demand with southern Minnesota businesses and vocational technical institutions.
Further, the Consortium has formed partnerships between public schools, technical colleges, and local employers, in an effort to better aligning school curriculum with the demands of the workforce in rural Minnesota. While the Consortium reports that all partners—school districts, businesses, parents, and vocational technical colleges—are supportive, the lack of resources for career counselors makes it difficult to fulfill all of its goals.
3. Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies
Lakeville and Prior Lake-Savage school districts’ Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies (MNCAP) is a high school program with Innovation Zone status that combines education, industry, and community partners in order to immerse all students in profession-based work experiences. Burnsville was supposed to be part of the Zone, but dropped out to focus on other district projects. The 2015-16 academic year was dedicated to planning and implementation.
The Innovation Zone is on-track to have two professional pathways: one in healthcare and medicine, and one in business. Hennepin Technical College and Normandale Community college will provide college credit that is aligned with the course offerings. Student registration began in February 2016.
4. SouthWest Metro Educational Cooperative and Jordan School District’s Career Technical Academy
This Innovation Zone exists to provide staff professional development around integrating core academic skills development into career-focused classes, for students who have fallen behind or who are at-risk of not graduating. The Zone has provided extensive support for staff to develop the skills necessary foster an environment where students’ needs are identified and instruction is personalized. As part of the training process, staff have visited community businesses to examine their culture.
Beyond its role in professional development, the Zone also has an agreement with Normandale Community College to provide college preparatory courses to students on study skills and reading skills for college, as well as several certification options. The 2015-16 academic year was dedicated to planning and implementation.