HB 1842 was passed during the 84th Texas legislative Session in Spring 2015 and provides Texas public school districts the opportunity to be designated as a District of Innovation. To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an innovation plan, as set forth in Texas Education Code Chapter 12A. Districts of Innovation may be exempted from a number of state statutes and will have: 

• Greater local control as the decision makers over the educational and instructional model for students:
• Increased freedom and flexibility, with accountability, relative to state mandates that govern educational programming; and
• Empowerment to innovate and think differently. Districts are not exempt from statutes including curriculum and graduation requirements and academic and financial accountability.

District of Innovation Plan (2017-2022)
This is the District of Innovation Plan for Shepherd ISD that would begin in May of 2017 and end in May of 2022.

District of Innovation Plan (2022-2027)
This is the District of Innovation Plan for Shepherd ISD that would begin on April 22, 2022, and end on April 21, 2027.