In education, innovation is about more than new technologies or teaching methods. It’s about rethinking how we engage students, address community needs, and create environments where all learners can thrive, particularly for underserved populations. At the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), innovation is a central focus, guiding us as we support charter schools across Colorado. Innovation challenges assumptions, invites collaboration, and paves the way for students to thrive. Innovation in education can take many forms, but at its core, it’s about solving real-world challenges in ways that serve the unique needs of students and communities.
Over the years, we’ve seen that schools flourish when they’re given the freedom to pursue fresh ideas – whether they’re redefining academic success, incorporating community-responsive practices, or experimenting with new governance structures. Our newest publication, the Innovative Schools Guidebook: Creating Space for Bold Ideas & New Approaches, marks an important step forward, inviting educators to redefine what’s possible in the classroom and inspiring leaders to rethink what’s achievable within the school system. This guidebook provides a look at how CSI approaches innovation through flexible applications, tailored support, and diverse performance metrics that together create an ecosystem where bold ideas can take root.
Flexibility from the Start: Tailored Applications
Every school community has unique needs, so CSI’s application process is designed to be flexible and responsive. CSI offers an application process that supports diverse models, whether a small, community-driven school or a multi-district online program.
“Recognizing that no two school proposals are alike, CSI designed its application processes to reflect and honor this diversity.”
For example, when CSI received a proposal for a multi-district online school, we enlisted an online education expert to evaluate the application with a targeted lens. With Kwiyagat Community Academy, CSI ensured the process respected the applicant’s cultural context by visiting the community and hiring reviewers with tribal expertise. By tailoring the process, CSI helps schools define success in their own terms while maintaining high standards.
Supporting Schools from Day One: Year 0 Planning
For newly approved schools, CSI’s Year 0 planning phase transforms vision into reality. CSI staff and the Board set milestones for Year 0 to address standard tasks and any risks identified in the application. The founding team must complete these milestones in the following months to support a successful opening.
This preparatory year ensures that schools are set up for success from day one by offering support for facilities, compliance, and financial planning. CSI provides monthly check-ins, expert facility consulting, and resources to address issues like construction delays or grant funding gaps. By helping schools navigate logistical challenges, we allow school leaders to focus on their primary goal: providing students with the best possible start.
Piloting New Ideas: Innovation in Established Schools
Innovation isn’t just for new schools–many established schools in the CSI portfolio continually evolve, testing new approaches to better serve their student communities. CSI encourages this ongoing innovation within the accountability framework, working with schools to refine and expand their models. For example, Colorado Early Colleges (CEC) piloted a multi-district online program to expand its early college model statewide. With a streamlined application process, CEC widened access to online college prep education for students across Colorado.
New Legacy Charter School, serving pregnant and parenting students, introduced a competency-based model to better align with students’ unique needs. This shift required changes to traditional accountability measures, but with CSI’s support, the school now has an effective framework that reflects its mission and supports its students’ journey to graduation.
Measuring Success Beyond Test Scores
A significant challenge for innovative schools is evaluating success in ways that honor their unique goals. While CSI values traditional academic metrics, we also prioritize mission-specific, non-traditional measures. Alternative Education Campuses (AECs), which often serve high-risk students, work with CSI to develop meaningful metrics like socio-emotional growth or college readiness. This approach offers a holistic view of school impact, beyond what standardized test scores can capture.
CSI has recently established a pilot process that allows schools (whether applicants in their first year or existing schools) to gather data and share data that reflects their mission and model. Schools then share these measures and outcomes with the CSI Board, building a comprehensive picture of each school’s success. This approach empowers schools to showcase their impact from multiple perspectives, giving us a richer understanding of their work.
Real Stories of Innovation in Action
The Colorado Early Colleges Network and The Academy of Charter Schools track credits and certificates earned by graduates, along with cost savings for families. They use this data to measure progress toward strategic goals and publicly share it on their websites to enhance accountability and communication with their communities. This transparent approach underscores the schools’ commitment to fostering academic achievement and supporting post-secondary success, while also minimizing financial burdens on families.
Prospect Academy, a school dedicated to serving students with disabilities, prioritizes high-quality academic instruction alongside a safe, engaging, and inclusive community. The school employs multiple measures to assess both academic progress and student well-being, integrating key indicators of student engagement into its internal accountability framework. Grounded in research highlighting the significance of engagement and relationships (particularly for students with disabilities) Prospect Academy monitors the increase in students reporting at least one close friend throughout the academic year. This comprehensive approach underscores the school’s commitment to fostering both academic success and meaningful social connections.
Building an Ecosystem for Innovation
At CSI, we aim to build an ecosystem where schools are free to innovate and held to high standards of quality. With the right support, schools can advance a more inclusive, effective educational landscape. By encouraging schools to explore, refine, and expand on their successes, we’re helping to create a future where bold ideas flourish, and every student has access to a high-quality education tailored to their needs.
“Let’s remember something that’s at the very heart of what we do – innovation and accountability. These two ideas aren’t just buzzwords; they are the driving forces behind our efforts to create and sustain great charter schools.
Without innovation, we aren’t pushing the boundaries of what education can be. But without accountability, we aren’t ensuring that all students are receiving the outcomes they deserve. It’s not ‘either/or’ – rather, it’s ‘both/and’.”
-NACSA President & CEO, M. Karega Rausch
Innovation and accountability work hand in hand, creating a strong foundation for transformative education. CSI is inspired by the creativity, resilience, and commitment of our schools to serve Colorado’s students with excellence. Together, we’re building a future where education meets students exactly where they are and equips them to reach new heights.
Looking Ahead with the Innovative Schools Guidebook
The Innovative Schools Guidebook empowers educators to address unique challenges with bold solutions, supported by CSI’s resources.
For schools ready to take the next step, join us in building a future where all students thrive in engaging, supportive learning environments.
Thank you for partnering with us to create meaningful change in education!