1. District of Innovation
Northwest ISD
DEIC
September 18, 2018

2. Background and Context
District of Innovation is a concept passed during the 84th Legislative Session in House Bill 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.

3. 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.

4. What might DOI allow?

5. What DOI will not allow:

6. 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)

7. Previous Proposed DOI Timeline
September 25, 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, 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.

8. We are here!

9. 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)

10. 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