The Visionary School Network offers a way for educators in schools throughout Kansas City to work with entrepreneurs in LEANLAB’s K12 Fellowship to test and give direct feedback on the development of cutting-edge technologies, services, and curricula that are designed to improve learning in under-resourced schools. Educators in the network then share their insights with a larger network of innovative schools -- while being compensated for their time. Schools can apply to participate in the network participate as either a Network Schools Partner or a Pilot School Partner.
Pilot School Partners work directly with entrepreneurs through a co-design process to pilot new innovations in their classrooms. A “Lead End User” (an educator most impacted by the solution and/or pilot study) is responsible for implementing the pilot process. Working closely with the entrepreneur and a researcher, they will choose an innovation to pilot, define a mini impact study with the researcher and entrepreneur, and use their classroom expertise and insights to inform the development of the solution. As part of this work, Pilot School Partners receive professional development that includes training on innovation frameworks with other teacher leaders looking to deepen their professional knowledge.
Network School Partners have the opportunity to adopt affordable and effective classroom tools after the pilot period. Entrepreneurs from the K12 Fellowship program and Pilot School Partners get together for a “Scale Day” event, where Pilot School partners share their learnings from the pilots they conducted. Network Schools can then choose to implement the tools that make sense and help meet their schools’ needs. They are eligible for discounts and can participate in collective buying for piloted innovations that have demonstrated impact.
Innovation Portfolios
Lean Lab Education
