| Information Only |
December 8, 2000
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Program Analysis System and Special Education Data Analysis System Methodology, School Year 2001-02
This is to inform you that the document describing the methodology for analyzing data elements in the Texas Education Agency's Program Analysis System (PAS) and Special Education Data Analysis System (DAS) has been released and is available on the Agency's website (http://www.tea.state.tx.us). The entire document is approximately 120 pages long, so paper copies are not being distributed to every school district. However, paper copies of the document are being provided to each education service center.
The PAS is the process used by the Agency to analyze data elements in special programs, other than special education, operated by districts. Specifically, the PAS includes an analysis of data elements in the following 12 program areas:
· Bilingual
· Career and Technology
· Emergency Immigrant
· Gifted and Talented
· Migrant
· Optional Extended Year
· State Compensatory
· Title I, Part A
· Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
· Title II - Eisenhower
· Title IV - Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities
· Title VI - Innovative
The DAS is the process used by the Agency to analyze data elements in each district's special education program.
The Agency will use the PAS, the DAS, and information obtained
from complaints filed with the Agency regarding special education in
selecting school districts for on-site comprehensive District
Effectiveness and Compliance (DEC) reviews during the 2001-02 school
year. In addition, certain school districts will be selected for
comprehensive on-site DEC reviews based on the 6-year cycle that was
originally developed beginning with the 1996-97 school year. The
Agency also anticipates using the DAS and information obtained from
complaints filed with the Agency concerning special education to
identify certain school districts that will be required to
participate in a self-evaluation and review of their special
education programs during the 2001-02 school year. By January 31,
2001, the Agency will announce all school
districts selected to receive a comprehensive on-site DEC visit or
to participate in a special education self-evaluation and review
during the 2001-02 school year.
We hope that the methodology document will be helpful in understanding the process that will be used by the Agency to analyze data elements and make decisions regarding on-site DEC visits for the 2001-02 school year. Please understand that, although we believe that the methodology document is in final form, it is possible that minor revisions may be made as the Agency conducts tests of the methodologies using sample district data. If any changes are made to the methodologies, you will be notified of the modifications and a revised version of the document will be released and made available on the Agency's website.
If you should have any questions regarding the methodology document, or its accessibility on the Agency's website, please call Nancy Smith at 512-463-9716. If you have questions regarding specific program areas included in PAS and DAS, you may contact the Agency representatives listed as contact persons on page vii of the methodology document. Thank you for your attention, consideration, and possible feedback.
Sincerely,
Karen Case, Associate Commissioner
Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews
For further information on this topic, contact Nancy Smith at 512-463-9716.