Launching districtwide innovation: Lessons learned from a year of pursuing “Bold Ideas” for systemic change

What does it really take to pilot bold, systemwide innovation in public education?

Over the 2023–24 school year, CRPE partnered with 11 districts across the country to support and study their “Bold Ideas”—ambitious initiatives designed to make student learning more joyful, individualized, and relevant. These pilots weren’t just tech upgrades or isolated experiments. They were aimed at deep, structural change: reimagining instruction, leadership, and how school systems support learning.

These 11 districts were selected because they demonstrated “readiness”—a clear vision, committed leadership, and early-stage community engagement. But even the most prepared districts encountered serious implementation challenges. This brief highlights what helped some teams adapt and move forward—and what stalled progress for others—in one of the most detailed accounts to date of how school systems navigate the hard realities of piloting change in real time.

CHALLENGES for SYSTEMIC CHANGE initiatives

• Leadership turnover was the most destabilizing challenge—especially when no succession plan was in place.
• Teacher buy-in faltered when Bold Ideas were framed as “extras” rather than core to instruction.
• Professional development often lacked depth, leaving teachers unclear on how to change practice.
• Principal ownership varied; where principals weren’t engaged early, implementation suffered.
• Data systems were often unable to provide timely, actionable insights—limiting continuous improvement.
• Policy and political constraints created roadblocks, especially for models that didn’t align neatly with state frameworks.
• Competing priorities pulled attention and resources away from Bold Ideas, especially in districts managing dozens—or even hundreds—of other initiatives.

Recommendations

• Prioritize executive sponsorship and cross-departmental capacity to keep innovation on the agenda.
• Build teacher buy-in with a clear instructional “why”—and design professional development that reflects it.
• Involve principals early as “innovation leaders,” not just site managers.
• Invest in feedback loops that include teachers, students, and families—and make course corrections based on what you hear.
• Plan for leadership transitions with sustainability strategies baked into the work.
• Match change management tactics to specific, real-time challenges instead of relying on one-size-fits-all playbooks.