The District of Innovation concept, passed by the 84th Legislative Session in House Bill 1842, gives traditional independent school districts most of the flexibilities available to Texas’ open-enrollment charter schools. Potential benefits of becoming a District of Innovation include:
Local control: Districts decide which flexibilities best suit their local needs.
Customization: Districts can create an innovation plan for a level of school (e.g., only high schools), grade level, or a single campus.
Autonomy: Districts must submit a district of innovation plan to the commissioner of education, but approval is not required.
Flexibility: Districts will have the flexibility to implement practices similar to charter schools, including exemptions from mandates such as:
School start date
90% attendance rule
Class-size ratios
Site-based decision-making processes
Certain student discipline provisions
Use of planning and preparation periods
Teacher appraisal requirements