Networks are powerful creators of ideas and action. By applying the organizing principle of collective self-interest—aligning and coordinating individual efforts to make a collective impact—the Institute at CESA #1 has made significant progress in a relatively short period of time. To date, 21 districts are in various stages of developing or implementing transformative projects that touch virtually every level of the K-12 spectrum. The open-source environment encourages the sharing of knowledge and diverse perspectives and creates the synergy that powers innovation.

Forming and strengthening the relationships or “connections” within a network is critical to aligning and mobilizing action around shared goals. The Institute at CESA #1 provides opportunities for open access and active cross-pollination of promising practices. As a result of this idea-rich environment, initial changes have the potential to grow and become transformative.

Strategically applying influence and information throughout the public education ecosystem has the potential to maximize resources as well as the speed at which transformation occurs. Leveraging the interest, capacity and expertise of individual districts throughout the region accelerates progress and benefits students and families across the region by:

• Fostering innovation
• Generating stakeholder engagement and ownership
• Producing faster results
• Replicating and scaling promising practices
• Increasing the likelihood of sustainability