The Expansion of Exemption: Texas's Districts of Innovation

• In Event: 64.056 - School Choice at Scale: Critical Examinations of Access and (In)Equity at City, State, and National Levels

Abstract

Since 2015, Texas has permitted districts to self-designate as “districts of innovation” (DOIs) and claim the same exemptions as open-enrollment charters (e.g. teacher certification, class size & school calendars). Currently, over 740 of Texas’ districts are DOIs, meaning that three-quarters of schoolchildren are enrolled in districts that waive major aspects of education law. We provide initial evidence on the prevalence and distribution of DOI districts and exemptions. Whereas charters have generally taken hold in lower-income districts with high minority enrollment, DOIs are concentrated in more affluent and whiter schools. Exemptions tend to center on teacher qualifications and contracts, the amount of time students spend in school, and class size caps. We conclude with implications for policy and leadership.

Authors

• Meredith Paige Richards, Southern Methodist University

• Sarah Guthery, Texas A&M Commerce