DeKalb County School District Accepted into National Network of Innovative School Districts

DeKalb County School District joins Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, will partner with other leading educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the country

Oct. 1, 2021 | Stone Mountain, Ga – DeKalb County School District (DCSD) was accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of forward-thinking K-12 school districts organized by Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization with the mission to accelerate innovation in education and improve the opportunity to learn for all through technology and research.

DeKalb County School District was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, innovative vision for learning, key achievements and evidence of results, and demonstrated commitment to equity and excellence.

“We are proud to be accepted in the League of Innovative Schools. Our work is centered around helping our scholars meet the highest standards and become successful and productive members of society,” said DCSD Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris. “Being a part of this organization aligns with our vision for the DCSD graduate and preparing our scholars for the jobs of the future.”

The Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, launched at the White House under President Barack Obama within the United States Department of Education in 2011, accepts new members through an open application process once per year.

The full list of members can be found at digitalpromise.org/districts.

“Now more than ever, the League of Innovative Schools recognizes the impact that equity, access, and opportunity can have on student outcomes,” said Dewayne J. McClary, director of the League of Innovative Schools. “The League strives to build a collaborative of close-knit districts that work together to eradicate the impact of inequitable practices, outdated instruction and resources, and districts working in silos. Part of our mission is to transform the systems and policies that create barriers for marginalized students.”

League members are represented by their superintendent, who commits to:

• Attend biannual League meetings, which feature classroom visits, collaborative problem-solving, and relationship-building with peers and partners;
• Participate in League cohorts and challenge collaboratives on a broad range of topics relevant to the changing needs and priorities of school districts;
• Support Digital Promise research and provide critical feedback so it translates easily into classroom experiences and expands what we know about teaching and learning;
• Engage with entrepreneurs to advance edtech product development steeped in the latest learning science and meets district needs; and
• Participate in the League’s professional learning community by connecting with other members online, in person, and at each other’s school districts.

Working at the intersection of education leaders, researchers, and developers, Digital Promise and the League of Innovative Schools provide an environment for superintendents and district leaders to share and learn from best practices; leverage research and participate in continuous improvement models; engage in research and development (R&D) projects with peers to address education’s biggest challenges; and implement new technologies and innovations in their school systems.

In addition to superintendents’ participation, there are also opportunities for other school administrators, principals, and teachers from member districts to participate in League and Digital Promise-related initiatives.

For more information on the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, visit: digitalpromise.org/league.

Press Contacts:
Portia Kirkland
Director of Communications
DeKalb County School District
Portia_kirkland@dekalbschoolsga.org

Carla Parker
Communications Specialist
DeKalb County School District
Carla_parker@dekalbschoolsga.org

My Nguyen
Project Director, Communications
Digital Promise
mnguyen@digitalpromise.org