District of Innovation Plan

The 84th Texas Legislature passed HB 1842 which included provisions to allow Texas school districts to become Districts of Innovation (DOI). Under a DOI Plan, a traditional school district may access many of the flexibilities available to Texas open-enrollment charter schools.

On June 20, 2016, the Board of Trustees of the Richardson Independent School District adopted a Resolution to direct the Administration to explore the designation as a District of Innovation. Following further study, on September 12, 2016, the Board of Trustees held a public hearing and voted to pursue designation as a District of Innovation. The Board also appointed a DOI Plan Committee.

The DOI Plan Committee included representatives from all aspects of RISD operations, parent representatives, and community representatives. The Committee began its work on October 20, 2016, and was divided into three work groups: Student Matters, Human Capital Matters, and Operational Matters.

Over the course of its meetings, the DOI Plan Committee studied the Board’s vision, mission, and goals and the District Improvement Plan and also considered challenges and barriers in existing law that could be alleviated through strategies included in a DOI Plan.