Districts of Innovation

What is a District of Innovation?

The laws authorizing Districts of Innovation (DOI) gives traditional independent school districts most of the flexibility available to Texas’ open-enrollment charter schools.

What can a District of Innovation do?

Potential benefits of becoming a DOI include:

• Local control: Districts decide which flexibility best suits 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
• Class-size ratios
• Site-based decision-making processes
• Certain student discipline provisions
• Teacher appraisal requirements

TASB Resources

• Districts of Innovation Overview (pdf)
• Steps to Become a District of Innovation (pdf)
• Sample Resolution (pdf)
• Districts of Innovation Plan Tips and Policy Development (pdf)
• Renewing a District of Innovation Plan (pdf)

Other Resources

• The Texas Education Agency's (TEA) District of Innovation chart includes links to the specific plans.
• TEA’s Form to submit an approved District of Innovation Plan, which includes the TEA list of statutory exemptions available to Districts of Innovation.
• TEA rules on Districts of Innovation set forth the process to adopt, modify, and renew your plan.

Need help?

If you have questions about information on this website, please contact TASB Legal Services at 800.580.5345 or legal@tasb.org.