District of Innovation

The District of Innovation concept was passed into law by the 84th Legislature (2015) through House Bill 1842, which was codified in Texas Education Code Chapter 12A. Northwest ISD first became a District of Innovation on January 14, 2019. The designation allows school districts to access many of the same options that are currently available to charter schools. In order to seek the designation, a school district must have an accountability rating of met standard.

Despite its name, this designation does not allow NISD to be overly innovative or to make changes in areas related to curriculum, graduation requirements, governance, academic and financial accountability and much more. For more information about Districts of Innovation, see information from the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Association of School Boards.