In search of policy that supports educational innovation: Perspective of a place- and community-based elementary school

Abstract

This paper, based upon our experiences starting a school, is part dialogue and part theory. The three authors have all played important roles in the design, creation, and ongoing support of an innovative public elementary school. The first part of the paper describes the impetus behind the creation of this “buildingless,” environmentally focused school with a mandate toward cultural change. There follows a discussion of the kinds of policy that have appeared over the lifespan of the school and includes the identification of those that hindered and those that helped. The final section uses some recent work in social innovation policy to inform a discussion with regard to our policy recommendations for those interested in supporting the kinds of local, place- and community-based educational innovations described here.