First came "Web 2.0" in which we (the people) got the power to publish, share, comment, friend, follow, tag, and organize online.

Then came "Gov 2.0" and the trumpets sounded for transparency of government data and innovation.

Now, Hope Street Group (a Forum One client) has opened up the policy making process with a new collaboration platform: Policy 2.0.

The concept is simple. The three steps are:

1. Recruit engaged citizens from outside of government -- most importantly the people directly impacted by the policy
2. Provide them with the tools to learn about, collaborate and refine real world policy recommendations
3. Give them a microphone and access to government leaders to advocate for and implement these recommendations

Hope Street Group pilot tested its Policy 2.0 model this past summer with a project to craft recommendations that improve teacher evaluation systems nationwide.

"Recommendations like this generally come from researchers and policymakers, administered top-down in states, districts, and eventually schools," according to Monique Nadeau, Executive Director of Hope Street Group. "But Hope Street Group recognizes that teacher and administrator input is critical in designing and implementing teacher evaluation systems, and this project really brought their voices to the table."

The pilot team comprised 22 K-12 educators, 6 private sector professionals, and 8 participants from the civil society sector across 17 states. They collaborated online on the Jive community platform, the recommendations were published in a report, and the results were presented at an October 26 event at the National Press Club.

Hope Street Group and team leaders from the pilot project then took their recommendations to Capitol Hill.

What's most exciting about this platform is that it puts the power to craft real policy solutions in the hands of the engaged citizen, whether that citizen is a teacher who wants to have input in the policy that impacts his/her livelihood, or a community member motivated by a desire to improve a failing school district.

In the coming months, Hope Street Group and its Policy 2.0 community will be busy identifying targets and implementing its teacher evaluation recommendations in 10 or more districts, expanding its policy focus into health reform and looking to the public for the next great policy area to tackle.