No leader can solve education challenges alone. Digital Promise connects networks of education leaders with researchers, technology experts, practitioners, and community members to collectively advance opportunities for learners. Together, we are at the forefront of designing and scaling solutions that can improve outcomes for each learner, especially those who have been historically and systematically excluded.
The Center for Inclusive Innovation’s report, “A New Narrative: How Unlocking the Power of R&D Through Inclusive Innovation Can Transform Education,” demonstrates how the Inclusive Innovation model provides a new path for school district and community teams to address educational challenges such as the recruitment and retention of teachers of color; student mental health; disproportionate disciplinary action; and building student confidence and expression through writing.
Inclusive Innovation is anchored in six tenets: four practice tenets that guide the daily process of engaging in education research and development (R&D) and two impact tenets that anchor the outcomes. Together, they inform how the Center for Inclusive Innovation engages school district and community teams in deep collaboration with researchers and developers to enable equitable leadership and contribution.
In our position paper, AI Literacy: A Framework to Understand, Evaluate, and Use Emerging Technology, Digital Promise shares a framework to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools for powerful learning and strategies for educational leaders to implement a clear approach to AI literacy.
As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in our daily lives and educational settings, it is imperative to equip learners, educators, and leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate this technology responsibly.
In October 2023, education leaders, researchers, edtech developers, community leaders, and students gathered in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area for “Elevating the Ingenuity of Schools and Communities” to explore ways to transform teaching and learning through Inclusive Innovation.
League of Innovative Schools leaders presented multiple sessions throughout the event to showcase how they are partnering with the Center for Inclusive Innovation to pilot and implement inclusive, novel solutions to the challenges their districts face.
In March 2024, more than 300 education leaders, researchers, edtech developers, came together in New York, for the biannual League of Innovative Schools convening.
Through interactive breakout sessions led by more than 30 League leaders, hands-on site visits across host district Mineola Public Schools, and ample networking opportunities, League members shared challenges, generated potential solutions, and deepened relationships.
Launched in 2023, Digital Promise’s Cybersecurity Pathways initiative addresses the cybersecurity labor shortage by building pathways to employment for learners historically furthest from STEM opportunities.
This cybersecurity initiative, which enrolled more than 800 students in the first year, is being offered by 10 districts from the League of Innovative Schools across eight states. The program was launched by the Center for Inclusive Innovation in partnership with Paradigm Cyber Ventures, with philanthropic support from IBM, which also contributed their digital training platform SkillsBuild, to be integrated in the program.
At the 2024 Spring League Convening, students and educators from the Cybersecurity Pathways initiative presented how their programs were designed to meet the unique needs of their communities, providing pathways to training, certifications, and opportunities for both students and teachers.
2023 Annual Report