District of Innovation

A District of Innovation is a designation that allows Texas public school districts to access many of the flexibilities available to open-enrollment charter schools. This status, authorized by House Bill 1842 in 2015, enables districts to tailor educational practices to better meet local needs by exempting certain state mandates.

• Local control: Districts decide which flexibilities best suit their local needs.
• 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 certain mandates.

Liberty Hill ISD adopted its initial DOI plan in the 2017–18 school year to enhance local control and flexibility in educational decision-making. The plan allows the district to implement innovative strategies that support student achievement and operational efficiency.

The DOI plan offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Scheduling Flexibility: Aligns school calendars with local community and higher education institutions.
• Personalized Learning: Supports competency-based education, allowing students to progress upon mastering content.
• Expanded Hiring Practices: Broadens the pool of qualified candidates for specialized teaching roles, enriching educational offerings.

The current DOI plan, effective through May 2027, includes exemptions in the following areas:

• School Start Date: Permits the district to begin the academic year before the fourth Monday in August, aligning better with collegiate schedules.
• Minimum Attendance Rule: Allows students to earn course credit based on content mastery rather than seat time, providing flexibility for advanced learners.
• Teacher Certification Requirements: Enables the district to hire industry professionals for hard-to-fill Career and Technical Education (CTE) positions, even if they lack traditional teaching certifications.