District of Innovation

  • HB 1842 was passed during the 84th Texas legislative Session in Spring 2015 and provides Texas public school districts the opportunity to be designated as a District of Innovation (DOI). A DOI allows for greater local control as the decision makers of the educational and instructional models for students.  It increases flexibility with certain state mandates that govern educational programming.  

    To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an innovation plan, as set forth in Texas Education Code Chapter 12A. Districts of Innovation may be exempted from a number of state statutes. However, districts are not exempt from statutes including district governance, curriculum, certification requirements for Bilingual, English as a Second Language (ESL) or Special Education, the state assessment system, the state accountability system, school finance, and federal requirements.

    Bastrop ISD is currently identified as a DOI. The first DOI plan was approved by the BISD School Board and TEA in May 2017. An updated plan was approved following a public hearing on May 17, 2022 and will expire in 2027. The Board of Trustees approved a DOI committee in February 2022, which consists of 50% BISD teaching staff. Other participants included campus administrators, parents, community members, district leadership, and a board member. The 2022 DOI committee participated in four meetings to review the expiring plan, research and discuss other possible flexibility options, and recommend updates and amendments to the current plan in efforts to address current district operational challenges.

    Bastrop ISD District of Innovation Plan-Board Approved

     

    Original DOI Plan Information