District Of Innovation

During the 84th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature passed a bill to allow for public school districts to become a District of Innovation, gaining more flexibility and local control, centering around the district's unique student needs. On January 23, 2017, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution for LISD to become a District of Innovation (DOI). In the Spring of 2022, the District renewed the plan.  As LISD continues to evolve and think differently around student and staff support, we must look at how best to evaluate our staff and how we recruit and retain top talent.  On April 22, 2024, the following two amendments were approved by the Board of Trustees after both the DOI Committee and District Advisory Committee approved. .

1.  Principal Evaluations
Exemption from: TEC §§ 21.352, 21.354, 21.3541
Related Board Policies: DNA (Legal), DNA (Local), DNB (Legal), DNB(Local)
LISD believes that all principals should be evaluated fairly and assessed on the entire scope of their job functions. While student learning is the ultimate measure of principal effectiveness, metrics aligned to our district values should be utilized. We believe that our current state-required evaluation tool, T-PESS, does not efficiently align to our district values and leadership competencies. Further, by creating and using an evaluation tool tied to our district values and competencies, the coaching and growth of campus leaders becomes the focus of evaluations. Furthermore, a district created principal evaluation will target progress made on reaching goals and identified by the individual leader. LISD intends to replace T-PESS for the 2024-2025 school year. 

2. Teacher Certification
Exemption from: TEC §§ 21.003, 21.053, 21.057
Related Board Policies: DBA (Legal), DK (Legal), DK (Local), DK(Exhibit)
Current statute allows approved DOI districts to make local decisions regarding teachers hired through DOI exemptions. The District, which is DOI approved, maintains expectations for employee certification and makes attempts to hire individuals with appropriate certifications. Currently, we use DOI exemptions to hire candidates who possess the experience, knowledge and skills that benefit the students of LISD in certain Career and Technology courses. LISD is seeking continued flexibility allowed through the DOI designation with certification requirements in all courses excluding Special Education, Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language. To bolster the pedagogy of non-SBEC certified teachers, LISD will continue to implement a mentorship and intensive training program for all new hires lacking SBEC certification. Hired staff in core classes, English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Electives, will be expected to be certified within one year of employment with up to a total of three years to obtain certification if periodic monitoring by Human Resources and the campus principal ensures certification deadlines are being met.