Tools for Schools, October/November 2004, Vol. 8, No. 2
Taking measure: Innovation Configurations gauge the progress of a new initiative
By Joan Richardson
When 2,500-student Madison Parish School District in Louisiana prepared to introduce a new reading curriculum, members of the reading cadre first developed an Innovation Configuration (IC) map.
Identify components of an innovation
Copy this page for each member of the group creating the Innovation Configuration. Be prepared to write the components and variations on a large piece of chart paper or on a whiteboard that can be seen by all members of the group.
Map an Innovation Configuration
Using action verbs, describe each component and each variation. Place the ideal variation in the #1 position and the most unacceptable variation in the #5 position. Place the other variations in between. When every component and variation have been written into the appropriate location, draw a solid line to separate the ideal variations from the acceptable and a dashed line to separate the acceptable from the unacceptable variations.
Completed Innovation Configuration map
for a cooperative learning initiative
Example of Innovation Configuration
for one of the NSDC Standards for Staff Development. Staff development that improves the learning of all students organizes adults into learning communities whose goals are aligned with those of the school and district.
Resources for Innovation Configurations
