TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: District Effectiveness and Compliance Program Analysis System
In June 1999, the State Auditor's Office (SAO) issued a report recommending that the Texas Education Agency (Agency) develop a comprehensive monitoring plan that could ensure that subrecipients spend federal funds in accordance with federal requirements. The SAO also recommended that the plan include procedures for testing key or highest risk compliance requirements during on-site visits. In its response, the Agency agreed to develop a monitoring plan, including a risk-based component, for implementation during the 2000-2001 school year.
Agency staff have worked diligently during the 1999-2000 school year to develop impartial and justifiable risk indicators for special programs. A new Program Analysis System (PAS) was used to select districts for on-site District Effectiveness and Compliance (DEC) reviews during 2000-2001. The decision was made to transition gradually to the risk-based PAS by fully implementing some special program areas in 2000-2001 (Special Education and most Federal Title Programs), partially implementing others (State Compensatory Education, Bilingual Education, and Gifted and Talented Education), and scheduling the addition of the remaining special programs (Career and Technology Education, Migrant Education, Dyslexia, Optional Extended Year, and Title I, Part D, Subpart I) for the 2001-2002 school year. All programs reviewed during a DEC visit will be included in the PAS when districts are selected for visits in 2001-2002. In addition to selecting districts for on-site visits through the PAS, the DEC schedule will continue to conduct cyclical visits to all other school districts.
Evaluation of the Program Analysis System will be conducted each year to ensure the validity of risk indicators used to identify districts for on-site visits. Risk indicators for special education programs were introduced during the 1998-99 school year, and modifications have been made to those indicators. It is not unreasonable to anticipate that modifications will need to be made as other program areas are added to the PAS. Information gained during the initial implementation of the PAS should reduce the number of changes that need to be made later on. However, the Agency will continue to be responsive to concerns from all stakeholders.
The Division of Accountability Evaluations has distributed the list of schools scheduled for DEC visits in 2000-2001, and all districts that have received notice of a DEC visit will receive a visit as scheduled. Questions regarding the on-site visit should be directed to Dr. Neida Estringel, Coordinator for Accountability Evaluations, at (512) 475-3112.
Sincerely,
Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education
For further information on this topic, contact Accountability Evaluations, at (512) 475-3112