Innovative Education Pilot Program application second window available
12/9/2025
Applications open now for innovative program statutory or administrative rule exemptions
The Innovative Education Pilot Program application for the 2026-2027 school year is available now. Any school district, educational service center, or chartered nonpublic school may apply for statutory or administrative rule exemptions for the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative programs.
The application period began Monday, Dec. 8 and will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15.
An informational webinar for general applicants will be held in early January. Please visit the Innovative Education Pilot Program webpage for details.
The Innovative Education Pilot Program Waiver may be a tool for schools interested in signing up for the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge but concerned about overlapping requirements. Applicants interested in applying for the waiver in relation to participation in the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge should reach out to Jared Cole (jared.cole@education.ohio.gov) for technical assistance and details.
The Department will be hosting office hours to discuss potential Team Tressel Fitness Challenge applications on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m.-noon.
Find more information about the Innovative Education Pilot Program and application process.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation for the webinar due to a disability, please contact Katie Barnes, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or 614-387-7716 (voice) no later than three days prior to the event. Requests submitted less than 72 hours before the event may not be able to be accommodated, though the Department will make every effort to provide accommodations if possible.