District Initiatives

As part of TEA's strategic planning process, we have attempted to identify how we can modify our operations to more effectively support and empower districts and campuses across Texas.  One goal of the TEA strategic plan is to reduce the number of low performing campuses by half. Accomplishing such an ambitious goal requires new initiatives and approaches.

Districts of Innovation

H.B. 1842 (84th Session of the Texas Legislature) in part amended Chapter 12 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) to create Districts of Innovations. Districts are eligible for designation if certain performance requirements are met and the district follows certain procedures for adoption as outlined in Statute. The designation provides the district will be exempt from certain sections of the TEC that inhibit the goals of the district as outlined in the locally adopted Innovation Plan.

School Action Fund

The School Action Fund (SAF) aims to increase the number of students in great schools by providing customized planning and implementation support to districts committed to bold action to transform low-performing schools and expand access to world-class learning environments for students. The School Action Fund has supported the following bold actions:

• Restart a struggling school
• Redesign a whole school
• Create a new school

Currently, (SAF) supports over 130 school actions in planning, continuation, and implementation.

System of Great Schools Technical Assistance Network

Districts that become members of the System of Great Schools (SGS) Technical assistance Network will be provided with intensive system-level supports to:

1. Support educators to design and lead high-quality schools;
2. Empower families with high-quality options and informed choices; and
3. Focus central office on high-leverage oversight, innovation, and support.

Resource Campuses

Resource campuses are campuses that are eligible for potential additional state funding if the campus is implementing best practice initiatives, including:

• An Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE plan)
• Staffing initiatives
• High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)
• Additional Days School Year (ADSY, elementary only)
• Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)

Campuses that have received 4 or more F ratings in the last 10 years may apply for the Resource Campus Designation.

ACE Plan Template

Campuses applying for the Resource Campus designation must submit their ACE plan with the application. Campuses may use any template they choose for this plan; a sample template that meets the requirements in TEC 39A.105 and TEC 29.934 is available for district use.