Conception of an innovative school and its development opportunities in Latvia

Purpose – Secondary education is seen as a fundamental component of lifelong learning system where individuals obtain specific skills, competences and values needed for everyday lives. Since that 21st century has changed the way individuals live and learn, education system and secondary education needs continues improvement and strategic innovation, to ensure successful results. The purpose of this paper is to compose a conception of innovative school for measurement of secondary schools and their adequacy for 21st century learning paradigm. Design/methodology – This paper describes innovative conception of secondary education and provides criteria for measurement of an innovative school and opportunities to develop the innovative capacity for secondary education schools. This conception has been created by analysing case studies and approaches of leading innovative schools in the world. Findings – Findings suggest that secondary education has several opportunities that can increase the learning capacity within a secondary school, drawing attention to use of information and communication technologies, learning environment within a school and process and content of the studies. Practical implications – The innovative school conception and conclusions from measuring the adequacy of a secondary school for 21st century learning paradigm, can serve as a tool for basic evaluation of a secondary school, indicating its improvement opportunities for strategic innovation, to ensure successful and efficient study process results. Originality/value – This model presents conception of an innovative school based on leading practices in the world and provides conclusions about its development opportunities within Latvia. The findings provide an alternative view about the development of secondary education system and serve a basis for further research