Allentown School District Joins National League Learning Collaboratives to Elevate AI Literacy, Career Readiness, Workforce Development/Educator Recruitment and Retention
Allentown School District joins 60 other leading school districts to participate in Digital Promise’s League Learning Collaboratives to address key initiatives that matter most to schools and communities
October 1, 2025 (Allentown, PA) – In March of 2024, the Allentown School District joined the League of Innovative Schools (The League), a national network of school districts that connects and supports the nation’s most forward-thinking leaders in education. The League is dedicated to innovative learning and leadership practices to achieve equitable outcomes for every student. One key way superintendents and district leaders realize such innovation and change is through the League Learning Collaboratives (LLCs).
The 2025-26 LLCs focus on pressing topics in education, including AI literacy, career readiness and workforce development, as well as educator recruitment and retention. League leaders choose the learning collaborative in which they want to participate based on their district’s needs and interests, and meet regularly to engage in peer-to-peer learning, co-create solutions, and share best practices. The Allentown School District has identified school & District leaders to participate in each of these three cohorts to elevate AI Literacy, Career Readiness and Workforce Development/Educator Recruitment and Retention. This experience will allow District leaders to engage with learning collaboratives, implementation cohorts, pilot projects, working groups, webinars, and cutting‑edge research, tailored to help leaders translate ideas into action. Participants from Allentown will learn and implement best practices nationwide, test new approaches in a supportive environment, and drive real change in teaching, curricular design, and workforce development.
“As we continue to implement our Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030, joining the League Learning Collaboratives provides a powerful opportunity to align national best practices with the needs of our students, families, and educators in the Allentown School District, said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer. By engaging in this work on AI literacy, career readiness, and workforce development, we are ensuring that our students have the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to succeed in a rapidly changing world. This partnership reflects our commitment to both academic excellence and innovation, preparing our students for today while building the pathways for tomorrow.”
Organized by Digital Promise and facilitated by current or former superintendents with extensive experience in these focus areas, LLCs provide an interactive space for school district leaders across roles to discuss and explore tangible strategies for addressing shared problems of practice around these key issues. Each collaborative centers on a topic directly aligned to the Digital Promise Challenge Map—areas nationally identified as critical for student success.
“Education leaders regularly face new evolving challenges that directly impact teaching and learning,” said Tasia King, network learning experience designer at Digital Promise. “Continuous learning opportunities that directly address those big issues, like the learning opportunities offered through the LLCs, give district leaders the insights and tools to tackle those challenges and foster innovation throughout their districts.”
Over the next six months, representatives from the Allentown School District will join other leading districts nationwide to explore challenges, share promising practices, and collaborate toward meaningful, common goals. These professional learning communities offer a supportive environment for gaining new ideas, receiving accountability for implementation, and enhancing the network's impact by fostering innovation and accelerating growth.
Through the LLCs, the Allentown School District will contribute to a national community of practice while bringing back tested strategies, leadership insights, and tangible outputs that can be applied to strengthen our schools and directly benefit our students and educators.
In all, school and district leaders from 61 school districts across 19 states will participate in one or more learning collaboratives for the 2025-26 school year.
Information about the League of Innovative Schools'
Information about the League Learning Collaboratives
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About Your District
The Allentown School District (ASD) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education to more than 16,700 students across 24 schools, making it the third-largest urban school district in Pennsylvania. Guided by our strategic plan, “Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030,” ASD is committed to fostering academic excellence, whole-child development, and innovative opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and life. Together, we are lighting the way for a brighter future for our students, schools, and the entire Allentown community. For more information, visit www.allentownsd.org.
About Digital Promise
Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for each learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale up innovations that empower learners, especially those who have been historically and systematically excluded. Our work is done so that every learner can engage in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow @digitalpromise for updates.