District of Innovation Northwest ISD DEIC September 18, 2018

Background and Context District of Innovation is a concept passed during the 84th Legislative Session in House Bill 1842. HB 1842 gives traditional independent school districts the opportunity to gain flexibility through a variety of available exemptions to the Texas Education Code. A school district must adopt an innovation plan in order to access these exemptions. School districts may amend/change/extend an innovation plan through the same process utilized to adopt a plan. A school district’s most recent academic performance rating must be at least acceptable in order to be eligible for designation as a District of Innovation. District of Innovation replaces many of the TEA waiver processes.

Across the State According to the TEA website, 784 districts have submitted approved District of Innovation plans to the Commissioner. These districts vary in size, geographic location, and exemptions requested. Over 2 million students are served by these districts. TEA DOI Area Districts such as: Lewisville, Plano, Allen, Coppell, Frisco, Denton, Grapevine-Colleyville, Richardson, Keller and Grand Prairie are included above.

What might DOI allow?

What DOI will not allow:

Common DOI Exemptions The data is taken from the 64 largest DOI Districts in Texas. The Top Four 1st day of instruction Teacher Certification Class Size (caps) Class Size (notification)

Previous Proposed DOI Timeline September 25, 2017- Present the NISD Board of Trustees a Resolution to create a District of Innovation (DOI) committee and plan for consideration. (TEC 12A.OO1(c)(1)) October 23, 2017- Public Hearing by NISD Board of Trustees (TEC 12A.OO2(a)) September 25- November 28- Series of committee meetings with NISD stakeholders. (TEA 12A.002(b)(2), 12A.003) In December of 2017, it was recommended that we postpone further discussion and moved forward without finalizing a plan.

We are here!

Proposed Timeline for 2018-2019 August 13th- Review process for DOI with Board of Trustees; Resolution still valid August- October - Explore DOI options with committee to bring forward recommendations to NISD Board of Trustees in November Post plan for 30 days (December) Board of Trustee Approval (January)

Pros and Cons of becoming a District of Innovation Allows for district flexibility on areas of interest An opportunity to explore programs of local interest Regain of local control in some areas in which it has been lost over time Join many other school districts across the state Con’s Relatively new process (84th Legislative Session) – new territory Uncertainties regarding how Legislature will treat these plans/this group of districts in the future Some push back has developed from teacher organizations in order to protect teacher rights