When hundreds of educators from across Ohio gather at Project Ignite network convenings, it’s to connect with others, build strong relationships, and learn from local and national experts. These events celebrate important achievements in improving schools and allow participants to meet new colleagues, share fresh ideas, and explore opportunities to work together on similar problems. Over the past year, educators across Ohio built and maintained relationships focused on improving outcomes for the students we serve by participating in Project Ignite, an Ohio school improvement network.
Through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and Battelle for Kids (BFK), Project Ignite supports school teams as they address academic and social-emotional needs of students and improve student achievement in alignment with ODE’s priorities
The Project Ignite network started in the 2022-23 school year, serving 30 member schools that voluntarily joined from State Support Team (SST) regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8. For year two, 90% of these schools returned to continue the progress they made last school year.
For the 2023-24 school year, 49 additional schools joined the network to bring our membership total to 75 schools. Of the member schools, the network has school representation from all 16 State Support Team regions.
Project Ignite now serves more than 35,000 students from 75 schools in 45 districts across the state.
On October 19, 2023, educators involved in Project Ignite gathered to network and learn. The day’s activities included a keynote from author, consultant, and coach Aaron Davis who shared the message of “Champions understand it’s a we thing.” Participants had eight learning sessions to select from and took part in Job-a-Like sessions that included district level leadership, ODE, educators, and building leadership. Recognition of year one took center stage during lunch.
Project Ignite will convene three more times during the 2023-2024 school year.
