For Policy Influencers

Learning environments in the Canopy project represent the seeds of a vibrant movement to reinvent public education as a resilient, equitable system that nurtures the unique potential of every student. This movement needs support to take root, demonstrate efficacy, and spread. 

  • Read our 2023 findings on how schools around the country are dreaming and designing equitable, student-centered learning environments.

    Read Reports

  • Listen to Canopy researchers discuss the project in a recent podcast episode. They hope it can assist others in identifying innovations that could prove of value to others with a focus on student-centered and equitable learning opportunities for all.

    Listen Here

  • Use and share our explainers which describe four key themes in the innovative practices Canopy schools are implementing.

    Learn the Basics

Recommendations

Education policy influencers play a critical role. Policy influencers should:

  • Change the policies that most impact leaders’ abilities to innovate. Canopy school leaders most want to see changes in graduation requirements and seat time requirements, accountability and assessment, and funding for innovation. Policy influencers should also meet with school leaders, educators, and families to understand their views on staffing and credentialing policies, and consider supporting alternative pathways to credentialing as well as innovative teacher training programs.

  • Define innovation broadly, beyond technology or products. Canopy data demonstrates that approaches to reimagining school are diverse, involving fundamental changes that run deeper than a new product procurement cycle. When drafting grant opportunities and policy incentives, describe “innovation” as efforts to design equitable learning environments that center the strengths, preferences, and needs of each student, and contribute to stronger communities.

  • Create structural connections between innovation and equity initiatives. Most Canopy schools are focusing their design on meeting the needs of students who have been marginalized, showing that equity advocates may find plenty in common with innovation champions. De-silo innovation efforts by creating structural connections between state agency offices focused on curriculum and instruction, digital learning, and student support.

  • Invest in knowledge-sharing infrastructure and peer networks to support schools, districts, and CMOs trying to innovate. Canopy school leaders want to learn from their peers and understand other schools’ innovation journeys, but often don’t have the capacity to search for them. Facilitating connections and knowledge-sharing among schools in similar policy contexts is a valuable role for state agencies.

Interested in discussing these recommendations?

Photos by Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages