District of Innovation defined

According to the Texas Association of School Boards, a district of innovation, or DOI, "gives traditional independent public school districts most of the flexibilities available to Texas' open-enrollment charter schools."

[caption id="attachment_242477" align="alignright" width="220"] LESLEE BASSMAN[/caption]

That is, the concept that was passed in the 2015 legislative session allows districts to have local control to customize and implement their own practices to best suit district needs, including choosing:

• school start date;

• 90 percent minimum attendance rule;

• class-size ratios;

• site-based decision-making processes;

• certain student discipline provisions;

• use of teacher planning and preparation periods; and

• teacher appraisal requirements.

The school boards for Eanes and Lake Travis ISDs approved transitioning to DOIs in December. These districts followed the state-outlined procedure to become DOIs.

Leander ISD has decided to forgo becoming a DOI at this time.