Each week, EdSurge highlights innovative school models, instructional products and the technologies that are making these practices possible. On May 12, we will be trying something new of our own: We are excited to announce a one-day Summit for School Innovation in partnership the New Jersey Department of Education's innovateNJ initiative, a statewide initiative that currently includes a community network of 37 innovative New Jersey districts selected from across the state that are designing and implementing new instructional models (see full list below).

This Summit is an expanded version of our “Education Leaders Day,” with participation by up to 150 leaders from across New Jersey and from the innovateNJ districts. Like all Summits, the focus is on interactive exchanges within and between districts and companies. Morning workshops focus on supporting more productive exchanges about the instructional priorities and technology needs of districts; and tools and guides for evaluating edtech products and determining fit within specific school contexts. Central office staff from all NJ districts are invited to attend and can RSVP here.

District leaders personalize their afternoon experiences: Attendees receive a custom schedule to meet with a subset of the featured companies that match their instructional priorities. And a select group of district leaders will guide discussions about their goals, opportunities and challenges as they continue to explore and innovate around instructional models.

“The innovateNJ community consists of innovative New Jersey educators committed to sharing programs, practices, and models that support next generation learning experiences for our students," notes Takecia Saylor, Director, School Innovation at State of New Jersey Department of Education. "The Summit creates an opportunity for New Jersey educators to share best practices, learn from each other, and be exposed to organizations that can help them scale effective school innovations.”

The innovateNJ Summit will be EdSurge’s tenth event since we launched our experimental event in Silicon Valley in November 2013. We are looking forward to welcoming these districts and a group of companies, whose selection will be made by district representatives. Want to be considered? Companies can learn more about participating in the innovateNJ Summit here.

innovateNJ Districts - Cohort 1

• Elizabeth PS

• Freehold Township SD

• Jefferson Township PSD

• Long Branch PSD

• Monroe Township PSD (Middlesex County)

• Mountain Lakes PSD

• Pascack Valley RHSD

• Randolph Township SD

• Springfield Township SD

• Spotswood PSD

• West Morris RHSD

• Westfield PS

innovateNJ Districts - Cohort 2

• A Harry Moore School of New Jersey City University Of Jersey City

• Burlington County Special Services SD

• Fair Haven PS

• Linden PS

• Manalapan Englishtown Regional Schools

• Middletown Township SD

• Montgomery Township PS

• Montville Township Schools

• Morris County School of Technology

• Mt. Holly Township Public School

• Mt. Laurel SD

• River Vale PS

• Scotch Plains-Fanwood SD

• The Lower Alloways Creek SD

• Toms River Regional SD

• Voorhees SD

• Warren Township Schools

innovateNJ Districts - Thought Partners

• Burlington Township Schools

• Lambertville Public School

• Newton PS

• Passaic Public SD

• Paterson PS

• Roselle PS

• West Amwell Township Elem. School