Code: IFA
Adopted: 2/20/13
Revised/Readopted: 8/08/17
Orig. Code(s): IFA

The Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) has the responsibility to engage in long-range educational planning in order to advise the Board regarding policy and effective decision-making. The NWRESD is committed to the position that innovation must be supported by appropriate research and evaluation. 

Innovative Projects 

With awareness of the need for continuing change and innovation in the NWRESD, the Board, through the Superintendent, authorizes the establishment of an action research procedure for constructive and responsible change and innovation in the NWRESD. 

Innovative programs may be planned on a pilot project basis. This will help to protect the NWRESD from “band-wagon innovation” and ensure responsible educational change. The Board will require the Superintendent to look at what has been done in the past, what is being done in the pilot program, and what could be done differently and more effectively on a NWRESD-wide basis through the implementation of a successful three-year pilot program. 

For purposes of clarification, innovative projects will be described as the introduction of educational field tests in a protected environment, for a period of time sufficient to test the applicability and viability of that field test for fulfilling present and future needs of the NWRESD. Innovative projects shall be supportive of the NWRESD’s philosophy and goals. 

Legal Reference(s):

• ORS 329.704 
• ORS 329.788 
• ORS 330.080 
• ORS 330.083 
• ORS 330.115 
• ORS 334.125
• OAR 581-024-0231 
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; Family Educational Rights and Privacy, 34 C.F.R.  Part 99.
• Protection of Pupil Rights, 20 U.S.C. § 1232h; Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs and Testing, 34 C.F.R. Part 98.