LEAP Innovations

As a new school year begins, one question is worth asking: Are students actually experiencing learning the way we hope they are?

This fall, the LEAP Learner Engagement Survey gives educators a practical way to find out: https://www.leapinnovations.org/survey

In just 15 minutes, LEAP gathers student and teacher perspectives on the classroom learning experience, helping schools explore questions like:

🔹 Are students experiencing greater agency and engagement?
🔹 Is our Portrait of a Graduate showing up in everyday learning?
🔹 Are new instructional approaches making a difference?
🔹 Where do student and teacher perspectives align or differ?
🔹 What can we do next to strengthen learning and engagement?

What makes LEAP especially valuable is that students and teachers respond to the same indicators at the same time, creating a shared picture of the learning experience.

And the insights don’t stop with the data. LEAP connects results to the research-validated LEAP Learning Framework™, providing practical strategies educators can use to reflect, learn, and take action.

For teachers and school leaders looking to move beyond assumptions and truly understand the student learning experience, LEAP offers a simple way to listen, learn, and act.

📅 The Fall Survey window closes October 16.
👉 Register by October 1 to get started gathering student and teacher feedback: https://www.leapinnovations.org/survey

Read what's new on the LEAP blog » From Voice to Impact: Building Student Leadership Through Learner Advisory

Student voice takes on new meaning when schools create structures and provide training for learners to move from sharing feedback to leading real change.

https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/learner-advisory-student-leadership

We enjoyed meeting the 40 Chicago principals participating in the AI Leader Fellowship with The Chicago Public Education Fund last week! These school leaders are ready to go, recognizing there's a window of opportunity to shape what AI in Education and school leadership looks like, and focusing on the purely human elements of their role -- as The FUND states here: "AI should strengthen human leadership, not replace the judgment, relationships, and experience that make great school leadership possible."

We offer a warm welcome to this incredible group. We are honored to work alongside you through the Fellowship!

Last week, we welcomed 40 Chicago principals into our inaugural AI Leader Fellowship!

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already impacting how schools operate; these leaders are stepping in to shape that change rather than react to it. Over the next nine months, they will work through what thoughtful, human-centered AI actually looks like in a Chicago learning community.

Throughout the school year, cohort members will be asking where AI can reduce administrative burden, strengthen decision-making, and give principals back time for instructional leadership.

Helping guide that exploration is our technical partner, LEAP Innovations, whose expertise in AI and implementation will support cohort members as they move from early questions to real application.

One principle remains at the center of it all: AI should strengthen human leadership, not replace the judgment, relationships, and experience that make great school leadership possible.

Please join us in welcoming our first cohort. Here's to creating more time for the work that matters most.

Read what's new on the LEAP blog » PRESS RELEASE: The 2026-2027 LEAP Innovations EdTech Design Collective, Advancing Equitable Student-Centered Learning

LEAP Innovations recognizes 13 members accepted to the 2026-2027 EdTech Design Collective for their commitment to equitable student-centered learning.

https://www.nextgenlearning.org/news/press-release-leap-edtech-design-collective-2627

Read what's new on the LEAP blog » Want to Build Classroom Community? Get Sh*t Done!

When students experience competence in the classroom, they develop genuine connection, belonging, and a sense of community.

https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/build-classroom-community-belonging-through-academic-competence

Read what's new on the LEAP blog » New Grants and an Expanding Community Propel LEAP Innovations into a New Era

We asked our community what powerful learning is. See how their answers are now driving everything the new LEAP does.

https://www.nextgenlearning.org/news/new-era-leap-innovations

Read what's new on the LEAP blog » Rethinking Systemic Change, Teacher Learning, and Educator Wellbeing

Systemic change, personalized professional learning, and a reimagined approach to educator wellbeing are essential to building schools where both students and teachers can truly thrive.

https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/rethinking-systemic-change-teacher-learning-and-educator-wellbeing

There are just a few spots left in this year's virtual cohort of the LEAP Innovations Accelerator. Find out how the program helps school teams accelerate progress on their school improvement goals. https://mailchi.mp/leapinnovations/a-few-spots-left-leap-accelerator