District of Innovation
The District of Innovation concept was passed into law by the 84th Legislative Session in House Bill 1842, which created Texas Education Code chapter 12A. To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an innovation plan, as set forth in Chapter 12A and their most recent academic performance rating must be at least acceptable.
A local school district may want to pursue specific innovations in curriculum, instruction, governance, parent or community involvement, school calendar, budgeting or other ideas. An innovation plan also allows a school district to gain exemption from many Texas Education Code requirements. Essentially, innovation plans will be about local control. Community members should note that each innovation plan will be unique to the local school district and no two plans may look the same.
In 2017, the Friendswood ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously for FISD to become a District of Innovation (DOI). Since then, FISD has leveraged the increased flexibility and local control afforded by this status. Texas public school districts are required to renew their District of Innovation status every five years. Friendswood ISD has taken this opportunity to not only renew its plan, but also amend it.
TASB Process
Education Code Chapter 12A
Commissioner’s Rules