(Pedagogical Innovation and Educational Change: Transitioning from the Traditional to the Innovative Schoo

Abstract

The education of today is facing an urgent need to adapt to the demands of a knowledge-based society, digitalization, and the development of key 21st-century competencies. The article presents a comparative analysis of two educational paradigms – the traditional school and the innovative school – and proposes an applicable transition model between them. The model is grounded in established theoretical frameworks such as the diffusion of innovation, innovation management, transformative leadership, the innovator’s mindset, and, more recently, access to educational technologies. The article explores both theoretical and practical dimensions of educational innovation, highlighting four fundamental stages of the change process: diagnosis, design, implementation, and consolidation. The conclusions emphasize the importance of educational leadership, a reflective organizational culture, and ongoing professional development of teachers as central factors in achieving successful institutional transformation.

Keywords: educational innovation, innovative school, innovation management, educational leadership, student-centered education, institutional transformation.