Education Innovation Rally 2024

It is time to rethink education on a wider scale and invite our communities to be a key center for students to learn outside of school. Real World Learning comes in many forms (internships, certification programs, college classes, and
more!). RWL makes learning more personal, and meaningful and gives students the purpose and relevance they need to succeed after high school. RWL allows for equitable access to college and careers.

In this session, about half the time will focus on the many, MANY logistics of an internship program that you might not know you need to plan for (workers comp insurance, transportation, student education, staff roles, family and community buy-in, data, and evaluation, etc.).

The second half will include students sharing their experiences, and an overview of processes and systems around concurrent enrollment, license, and certification programs, and exploration learning for students who haven't found their "thing" quite yet.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Shared systems and processes
2. Student/Alumni experience
3. Share resources and forms
4. Shared tools to have conversations around shifting paradigms

Join Dr. Jeff Hernandez and Mr. Chris Daniels from Rogers New Technology High School as they share their inspiring journey of establishing a functional School of Innovation Council. This session will delve into the practical steps and strategies they used to foster a culture of innovation and empower students to take charge of their learning experiences. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the creation and operation of an innovation council, and learn how such initiatives can significantly enhance student agency and school governance.
Objectives:

1. Understand the Concept and Value of a School of Innovation Council: Explore the foundational ideas behind setting up a council that drives educational innovation.
2. Learn from Real-World Implementation: Gain insights from the experiences of Dr. Hernandez and Mr. Daniels on overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities while establishing the council.
3. Strategies to Develop Student Agency: Discover effective techniques and strategies to encourage and increase student participation and decision-making in their educational journeys.

New Legacy Charter School has maintained a deep commitment to personalized and career-connected learning for all of its learners, including requiring meaningful real-world learning experiences. As the first high school in Colorado to utilize a competency-based transcript, NLCS is paving the way for at-risk youth to graduate and have a college or career path already begun. Sara and her team have spent the past four years transitioning the curriculum and program for NLCS, under the Big Picture Learning model, to help teen parents, and at-risk youth, graduate with a college or career path already begun.

Finding the balance between learning, assessment, and graduation guidelines can be student-centered and personal for every child. Learn how New Legacy Charter School shifted away from credits to a complete competency-based transcript and diploma program that is making graduation accessible to all. Deeper learning and rigor need not be sacrificed to provide interest-driven learning and remove the barrier of credit recovery that causes the most high-risk students to drop out and give up.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Shared systems and processes
2. Student/Alumni experience
3. Shared resources and forms
4. Shared tools to have conversations around shifting paradigms