District of Innovation October 18, 2018

NISD DOI Website (public) NISD DOI Homepage Resource page: NISD DOI Website (public) NISD DOI Homepage

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.

We are here!

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: Allowable exemptions include (but not limited to): Educator certification Teachers contracts First and Last Day of School Length of a School Day Class Size Certain contract requirements

What DOI will not allow: Prohibited exemptions include (but not limited to): District Governance Curriculum State Assessment System State Accountability System School Finance Federal Requirement Other requirements in state law outside the Texas Education Code

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)

NISD Strategic Framework In the Spring of 2018, the NISD Board of Trustees accepted the recommendations from the NISD Strategic Planning Committee to create the new NISD Strategic Framework 2018-2022. In the Spring of 2018, the NISD Board of Trustees accepted the recommendations from the NISD Strategic Planning Committee to create the new NISD Strategic Framework 2018-2022. This document is the driving force behind the District Improvement Plan and all of the actions taken by our staff members.

Why District of Innovation? The adoption of the NISD Strategic Framework is a commitment from NISD to our community that we will work to continue to enhance and improve our operations in order to best meet the needs of students and prepare them for the future. So….

Driving Question: What operational changes would have the biggest positive impact on student learning experiences in NISD?

Getting started: What is innovation?

Area Districts Exemptions

Positive Ideas from others District Idea or Exemption Addressed POSTIVE IMPACT this might have on NISD?

Ideas with little or no positive impact District Idea or Exemption Addressed Possible unintended negative result or reason to not pursue for NISD

Topics already under consideration: Positives: Certifications Attendance Rules Start Date School Minutes Appraisals Negatives: Class Size Start Date

Thought Exchange: DOI Website

Next Steps: Monday, October 29th from 12:00-3:00 Major Categories: Identify groups for the next level of work Research Policy Implications: Everything we ask for must still be in compliance with Board Policy Sub-Committees May extend past the approval of DOI plan

Driving Question: What operational changes would have the biggest positive impact on student learning experiences in NISD?