Office of Innovation

Historically, like other state education agencies, the Louisiana Department of Education has functioned primarily as a regulatory agency, focused more on ensuring compliance of rules and regulations than on supporting schools and districts. The Innovation Office, in conjunction with the three Critical Goal Offices, seeks to change this dynamic. As the hub of the School Turnaround, and Human Capital Offices at the Louisiana Department of Education, the Innovation Office is tasked with working closely with LEAs to ensure that the right policies and practices are in place to dramatically increase student achievement. This office will work closely with the goal offices to build overarching LEA-capacity to operate efficiently and effectively.

Leadership

The Office of Innovation is led by a Director, supported by a Deputy Director, and includes the School Turnaround Office, the Human Capital Office, and five District Support Officers.

School Turnaround Office Core Functions

The essential responsibilities of the STO will include:

• Establishing relationships with district and school personnel to help provide them with technical assistance on effective turnaround models, resource alignment, human capital practices, etc.
• Designing a system of incentives and sanctions that catalyze dramatic changes in schools within 2-3 years
• Designing and managing a competitive process to commit school improvement grant funds to LEAs and schools
• Developing benchmarks for schools, monitoring their progress, and holding them accountable
• Cultivating a marketplace of external partners, to provide targeted assistance to the state, as well as selected districts and schools
• Assessing and improving policies, laws, and collective bargaining agreements that govern statewide personnel policies and procurement
• Seeking maximum flexibility with state and federal funding while ensuring that all laws and regulations are followed
• Harnessing additional public and private resources to support and sustain the efforts

Human Capital Core Functions

The essential responsibilities of the Office of Innovation will include:

• Researching and disseminating best practices in school district policy that allow for maximum flexibility in the areas of School Turnaround and Human Capital;
• Orchestrating a systematic communication plan with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to keep them eager and engaged in the reform process;
• Managing the implementation of major grant awards (including 1003g School Improvement Grants) that support Human Capital and School/District Turnaround efforts;
• Acquiring external funding to support key LDOE reform initiatives and the nine Critical Goals;
• Developing and managing a competitive grant opportunity for LEAs to seek supplemental program funding.

District Support Office Core Functions

The essential responsibilities of the DSO will include:

• Consulting with school district leadership to develop strategy to meet the nine Critical Goals;
• Conducting periodic audits of district policy and practice and recommending changes to improve district effectiveness;
• Identifying proof points throughout the state and country;
• Sharing the most effective practices with LEAs throughout the state;
• Working with district superintendents to identify opportunities and resources for comprehensive intervention in their lowest-achieving schools;
• Identifying local and state barriers to improvement, and finding ways to eliminate or minimize those barriers;
• Providing LEA leadership with access to a rich data-set to drive decision-making;
• Working with district superintendents to identify opportunities for improved instructional leadership, particularly in the area of special education;
• Fostering school district innovation, particularly in the areas of comprehensive school turnaround and human capital.