Digital Promise expands League of Innovative Schools with 35 new districts
Digital Promise has added 35 school districts, representing 250,000 students, to its League of Innovative Schools, a national network supporting forward-thinking education leaders.
Photo credit: Digital Promise
Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing equitable education through research, practice, and technology, has expanded its League of Innovative Schools to more than 165 districts in 34 states. The network now represents over 4 million learners.
The League was created by former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and brings together superintendents and district leaders to test, scale, and share new approaches to teaching and learning. Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO at Digital Promise, announced the expansion in a LinkedIn post, writing: “I am thrilled that we have added 35 school districts — representing 250,000 students — to the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools.”
Criteria and commitments for new members
Districts are selected for their commitment to rethinking traditional models and placing equity and student voice at the center. Brizard wrote that the new members were chosen for their “bold commitment to:
Designing and implementing innovative visions for learning
Putting equity, student-voice, personalized learning, and whole-child well-being at the center
Rethinking traditional models — from seat time, to graduation, to how students engage with their learning journey.”
He added: “What’s especially exciting: these leaders will collaborate, pilot new ideas, scale promising practices, and bring fresh resources back to their schools so all students benefit.”
Events, pilots, and long-term impact
The League connects members through bi-annual convenings, research pilots, and collaborative learning communities. Since its founding, the network has engaged in more than 140 research and pilot projects, hosted over 20 national convenings, and supported a range of initiatives from computational thinking pathways to middle school math equity programs.
League districts have also co-developed policies on generative AI, created inclusive cybersecurity pathways, and partnered with Digital Promise’s Center for Inclusive Innovation to address workforce diversity, student mental health, and racial equity discourse.
The network now serves as a platform for school systems to share models, validate promising practices, and influence national policy through initiatives such as the upcoming Policy to Action Summit in Washington, D.C.
Brizard concluded in his LinkedIn post: “Kudos to all the districts stepping up — it’s moments like this that move education forward.”
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
