Does anyone have any views on this?
Innovate-ED Responsible Policy-Advocacy Framework
This Responsible Policy-Advocacy Framework aims to balance the interests of commercial providers and other educational stakeholders involved in education policy-making. Commercial providers can experience conflicts of interest when advocating for policies that may affect their businesses. However, commercial providers can also bring significant value to education policy-making and drive innovation, through:Â
Industry Insight: Commercial providers offer deep insights into sectoral needs, often spotting opportunities for enhancement through innovative products.Â
Policy Impact Experience:Â They understand firsthand the effects of policy shifts on product adoption within schools and its implications.Â
Proprietary Data:Â Commercial entities sometimes possess unique data on product usage and adoption, which can aid policy-makers.Â
Investment and Risk:Â These providers invest and take financial risks in pioneering novel solutions.Â
This framework offers a method to address potential conflicts of interest. While Innovate-ED will use these guidelines, we hope they serve the wider sector.Â
GuidelinesÂ
Generic Advocacy: Innovate-ED’s policy advocacy will focus on categories of products and services rather than individual products, services or companies.
Alignment with Innovate-ED’s Innovation Framework: Any policy suggestions will align with Innovate-ED’s Innovation in Education framework by classifying product and service categories into one of the following Phases of Innovation.Â
Phases of Innovation:
Early-adopter Phase:
Current scale for secondary: Revenue <£1m; <£300 secondary schools at a sustainable price.
Notable buzz exists around the category.
Termed 'Stage 2 - Operating Model' in the current think-piece doc ('Stage 1' is Product Development).
Mainstream Phase:
Current scale for secondary: Over 400 schools, including non-early-adopters.
Perceived as routine but the majority of schools remain non-adopters.
Termed 'Stage 3 - Scale-up' in the current think-piece doc.
At Scale Phase:Â Often dominated by major providers.
Policy Recommendations for Each Phase:
Early-adopter Phase:
Avoid government-sponsored top-down solutions.
Don't accept compelling narratives and assume 'every school should do this' when schools aren't yet adopting in sufficient numbers.
Eliminate unnecessary rules impeding innovation or adoption.
Mainstream Phase:
Implement rules to foster wider adoption.
Consider dedicated funds for faster, consistent adoption.
At Scale Phase:
Adjust rules and funding to achieve policy objectives.
Facilitate entry for smaller providers.
Encourage the emergence of new product categories.
Product Examples and Transparency:
We will illustrate with real products/companies.
Disclosures will be made for any Innovate-ED sponsor affiliations.
Sponsors can suggest examples, but competing products might also be considered.
We will reconsider classifications if needed. Final decisions will rest with Innovate-ED.
We prioritise our trustworthiness within the sector over sponsor relationships.
By adhering to these guidelines, Innovate-ED aims to serve as a trustworthy voice in policy-making, balancing the interests of commercial providers and other educational stakeholders.