School innovation will be the focus of a special summit planned for Louisville later this month.

The Kentucky Department of Education and the eight regional education cooperatives – led by the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative ­– have scheduled a two-day discussion of ways to champion innovation, efficiency and creativity in the state’s public education system.

“Kentucky Leads the Nation – Creating a Culture of Innovation” will take place Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Louisville.

Invited participants are district teams of board members, superintendents, administrators, teachers, community leaders and education advocates.

Education Commissioner Terry Holliday and Kentucky Department of Education Director of Innovation and Community Engagement David Cook will kickoff the event on Friday with a talk that focuses on Kentucky’s Continuum of Innovation, Innovation Self-Assessment or Districts and how school districts can apply for District of Innovation status.

Other confirmed speakers include Ken Kay, CEO of EdLeader 21 and co-founder of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills; Lucy Gettman, director of federal policy for the National School Boards Association; Eminence Independent Schools Superintendent Buddy Berry; and Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson.

Participants also will have the opportunity to attend work sessions on Saturday that focus on how to budget, plan and build teacher and community support for innovation.

To review the agenda and register, visit http://www.ovec.org.