AUSD Accepted Into National Network of Innovative School Districts

According to their website, Digital Promise works at “the intersection of education leaders, researchers, and technology developers to improve learning opportunities for all and close the Digital Learning Gap.” – Courtesy photo / Digital Promise

AUSD will partner with other leading educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the country

Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) was accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of forward-thinking school districts organized by Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization with the mission to accelerate innovation in education and improve the opportunity to learn for all through technology and research.

AUSD was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its leadership, evidence of results, innovative vision for learning, and commitment to collaboration.

“It’s an honor and testament to our innovative teachers and staff that we are able to join such a distinguished group of schools and districts across the country,” said AUSD Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall. “We have long believed in sharing best practices and collaborating with others to benefit not only our students in Arcadia but students across the globe. It’s the reason we started the Arcadia Innovation Summit four years ago and why we encourage our teachers to be on Twitter and social media.”

The League of Innovative Schools, launched in late 2011, accepts new members through an open application process once per year. With the new members, the League now includes 102 school districts in 33 states. The full list of members can be found at digitalpromise.org/districts.

“My teachers, counselors, and staff have been utilizing innovative practices for years and continue to push the envelope to ensure they are connecting with students and that the students are connecting to their learning,” said Arcadia High School Principal Dr. Brent Forsee whose high school was just ranked in the top 1 percent of public high schools in the country by Niche.com.

“We have teachers utilizing flexible seating, project-based learning, blended learning courses in several content areas, utilizing restorative practices, and they have created an environment where learning takes place all throughout the campus not just inside the classroom. This type of teaching takes place at every school in our district, and I’m always so inspired by all of the creative educators throughout Arcadia Unified,” added Dr. Forsee.

“As we expand our efforts to identify, build, and scale the innovative work of our League districts, I am excited to welcome a new cohort of districts who deepen the diversity, populations, and contexts of the network and move us further in advancing equity and excellence for every learner,” said Kimberly Smith, executive director of the League of Innovative Schools.

The League officially welcomed new members at its fall 2018 meeting on Oct. 10 in Park City, Utah.