Linton-Stockton named as ‘Lighthouse’ school district by AASA

On Monday, May 2, the School Superintendents Association (AASA), in partnership with the Successful Practices Network (SPN), announced 13 school districts across the country, including the Linton-Stockton School Corporation, they have named as “Lighthouse” systems that will serve as models of positive change in public education.

According to an AASA press release, “Moving toward a holistic redesign of our nation’s schools,” the districts are recognized as models to help transform America’s education system.

Selected designates are members of AASA’s Learning 2025 Network, “a cadre of more than 120 demonstration systems representing forward-leaning, urban, suburban and rural school systems engaged in learning, networking and working together to help drive education policy and ultimately improve student learning.”

The goal of the network is to guide Learning 2025 leaders as they chart their progress toward Lighthouse designation in one or more areas of growth.

Other selected districts were Baldwin Union Free School District (SD) of Baldwin, N. Y.; Buckeye Elementary SD of Buckeye, Ariz.; Coxsackie-Athens Central SD of Coxsackie, N. Y.; Elizabeth Forward SD of Elizabeth, Pa.; Ephrata Area SD of Ephrata, Pa.; Harvard Community Unit SD 50 of Harvard, Ill.; High School District 214 of Arlington Heights, Ill.; Naperville Community Unit SD 203 of Naperville, Ill.; Val Verde Unified SD of Perris, Calif.; Washougal SD of Washougal, Wash.; West Allegheny SD of Imperial, Pa. and West Valley SD 208 of Yakima, Wash.

“Our Lighthouse districts are serving as thought-leader practitioners that are implementing bold, actionable steps on behalf of the broader education community to learn from and learn with as they have taken on the challenge of Learning 2025,” said AASA Executive Director, Daniel A. Domenech. “As we emerge from the pandemic, it is critical to invoke future-focused best practices for the well-being, self-sufficiency and success of our young learners. I congratulate these districts, as well as all of the school districts associated with the Learning 2025 Network.”

Districts were reviewed based on strategies and recommendations developed by the commission.

Redesign component indicators included:

• Social, emotional and cognitive growth

• Future-ready learners

• Cognitive growth model

• Learners as co-authors

• Diverse educator pipeline

• Early learning

• Technology-enhanced learning

• Community alignment

“It is gratifying to know we will be able to take action together as we look at some of the country’s remarkable school systems embracing the challenge of Learning 2025,” said AASA Associate Executive Director and Commission Co-Chair Mort Sherman. “The opportunity to learn from colleagues, or ‘critical friends,’ across the country should be inspirational for the school systems participating in a process that provides endless opportunities to reflect on the majesty of the work that is happening right now in our school communities.”

The profile is meant to guide superintendents and their teams as they consider progress toward their growth. AASA and SPN will provide feedback on behalf of selected districts’ progress and efforts for system redesign.

For more information, visit www.aasa.org.