The public meeting was the last step in a four-month-long process of considering the merits of adopting a plan crafted to gain more local control over district operations per state law.
Explained
The proposed plan has four innovation pillars:
- First Day of Instruction: If approved, the district would have more control of the school calendar, such as start and end dates for each school year.
- Career and Technical Education Certification: This would allow the district to expedite the approval process for hiring CTE teachers.
- Local Permit for Certified Teacher with Flexibility for Teaching Outside of Content or Outside of Grade Band: This exemption would permit the district to allow certified teachers to provide instruction in classes outside of their content area or grade, as flexibility is needed in certain subject areas where the district lacks a certified teacher in that specific curriculum area.
- Out of State Certification: This exemption would expedite the approval process for hiring teachers certified out of state. If a teacher holds an out-of-state standard certification and is seeking certification in Texas, he or she could apply for a review of credentials and eligibility for potential test exemptions by the Texas Education Agency.
CFISD has been exploring the option of adopting a plan based on recommendations by the Districtwide Educational Improvement Council, which includes teachers, parents, community members and business leaders.
The DEIC developed a proposal last fall and ultimately approved the plan, so the board of trustees will now review and vote on the plan.
What else?
According to the TEA website, 978 districts across the state have the District of Innovation designation. Neighboring districts with this designation include Katy, Tomball, Klein and Spring Branch ISDs, among others in the Houston region.
In December, Houston ISD adopted a much broader District of Innovation plan following the TEA takeover in 2023.
