Indiana New Tech High Schools Become Model for National Expansion

News conference footage

Success in Indiana Persuades KnowledgeWorks Foundation to Commit $10 Million and Expertise Over Four Years to Nationally Expand Promising Schools

Indianapolis, Indiana – [March 9, 2009] – KnowledgeWorks Foundation, a national public education philanthropy, today announced a strategic partnership with New Technology Foundation (New Tech), an organization that has pioneered an approach to collaborative, technology- and project-based learning and teaching designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to compete in the Information Age.  The announcement was made with the support of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, a leading advocate of New Tech schools in his state.

“Our primary objective at KnowledgeWorks is to drive innovation in public education, and we believe that New Tech is the best-in-class, most highly-scalable approach to learning in the 21st century that we have seen.” said Chad Wick, CEO of KnowledgeWorks.  “We looked at approaches across the country, and found that Indiana is leading the way, with business and economic leaders, communities, and school districts working together to create a network of schools where students get the knowledge and skills they need to compete in today’s economy.”

KnowledgeWorks will provide up to $10 million to New Tech over a four year period, along with operational guidance and strategic expertise, to help develop the infrastructure necessary to support the rapidly growing network of New Tech schools.  The management teams have already begun working together over the past nine months, with a focus on operations and further developing New Tech’s technology platform. 

“We’re thrilled to have KnowledgeWorks on board to help us rapidly grow the New Tech network.” said Susan Schilling, CEO of New Technology Foundation.  “Developing our nation's next set of leaders who come into adulthood with the ability to find and analyze information, solve problems, communicate solutions, and implement them has never been of greater importance."

Successfully Blending Education and Economic Development in Indiana

Daniels initiated New Tech in Indiana in 2006 by awarding National Governors Association grant funds to three school districts to support planning for the New Tech High Schools. Indiana’s first three New Tech high schools opened in 2007 and an additional three schools opened in 2008. Today more than 20 schools are working toward implementation for 2009 and beyond, making Indiana the national leader in statewide New Tech development. NGA grant funding has supported New Tech planning for 10 of these schools in the state.

“Our future depends on equipping our students with the right knowledge and skills to succeed in post-secondary education and careers,” said Daniels. “New Tech High Schools are a great example of how Indiana is redesigning schools to keep our state competitive.” 

New Tech works within Indiana’s state standards and focuses on project-based learning, integrated use of technology in the classroom, and fostering a strong culture of student responsibility.  New Tech’s projects are initiated and completed collaboratively by groups of students and then student work is stored in digital portfolios.  Students’ grades are then based on a multi-faceted combination of content, oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and work ethic.  Upon graduation, students understand their role on a team, and how to identify and solve problems and are fully able to take responsibility for their own learning and adapt to a new environment. 

In Indiana, KnowledgeWorks’ investment in New Tech will help to further develop the technology platform utilized by schools across the state and will enable New Tech to expand to more communities and districts.

Indiana’s successful work with New Tech high schools in partnership with the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis, business and economic leaders, and community stakeholders has become a strong model for linking high school education to community quality of life aspirations and economic development and was a key driver in KnowledgeWorks’ decision to invest so deeply in New Tech. 

“As New Tech schools continue to expand nationally, Governor Daniels’ vision for blending education and economic development in Indiana will be utilized across the country” said Wick.

There currently are 39 public high schools in the New Tech network with over 8,500 students in ninestates, and another 13-15 schools expected to open by August 2009 nationwide.

KnowledgeWorks Foundation, incubates and accelerates promising educational innovations throughout the nation.  With a focus on transforming the national education landscape from a world of schooling to a world of learning, the foundation employs education experts and enlists innovative partners to equip our students to contribute in a global society hungry for talent and knowledge.

New Technology Foundation, is a school development organization that supports the start-up and implementation of 21st century high schools.  The National Network of New Technology High School Network currently comprises 39 schools across the county, including schools in North Carolina, Indiana, Texas, California, Louisiana, Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, and New York State.