State Accountability Interventions
A major responsibility of the Division of Program Monitoring and Interventions implementation of the requirements of Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 39, Subchapter E, Accreditation Interventions and Sanctions. This occurs within the context of the state's Academic Accountability Rating System. The division develops and implements interventions and sanctions for districts and campuses rated academically unacceptable in the state's Academic Accountability Rating System. The division also implements interventions for those campuses that are rated acceptable but that would not satisfy performance standards if the accountability standards for the subsequent year were applied. The division uses performance information from the Division of Performance Reporting to identify for intervention those districts and campuses with performance concerns.
The division intervenes with districts and campuses using a variety of strategies, including district/charter improvement planning, agency desk review, appointment of a monitor, conservator, management team, and/or campus intervention team, or other sanctions and interventions referenced in TEC, Chapter 39. Interventions and sanctions are referenced in the sections listed below.
Other references to investigations, interventions, and sanctions are reflected throughout TEC, Chapter 39. The extent and duration of performance concerns are considered in the determination of interventions and sanctions. Additionally, pertinent rules can be referenced at 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 97, Planning and Accountability, Subchapter EE, Accreditation Status, Standards, and Sanctions.
The TEC §39.116(e) stipulates that, during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years, the commissioner shall continue to implement interventions and sanctions for districts and campuses identified as having unacceptable performance in the 2010-2011 school year and may increase or decrease the level of interventions and sanctions based on an evaluation of the district’s or campus’s performance. Therefore, the division will continue to implement intervention requirements for districts and campuses resulting from the 2011 state accountability ratings.
The TEC §38.116(f) further clarifies that, for the purposes of determining multiple years of unacceptable performance, the performance ratings and required district and campus sanctions issued in the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 school years shall be considered consecutive (i.e., 2011 and 2013 ratings).
Federal Accountability Interventions
Also beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, the division will work with the Texas Center for District and School Support to implement requirements of the Title I School Improvement Program affiliated with the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) federal monitoring system. Intervention requirements for the state and federal systems will be substantially similar, but with requirements unique to each system being addressed separately.
Intervention Activities
The accountability monitoring system reflects the use of graduated interventions based on local education agency (LEA) and campus performance as evidenced by the state's Academic Accountability Rating system and the federal AYP monitoring system. Levels of intervention are determined based on the requirements of TEC, Chapter 39 and the Title I School Improvement Program. The extent and duration of performance concerns also impact intervention determinations for districts and campuses.
Intervention Guidance and Resources are available to assist campuses and LEAs in conducting the required activities for each level of intervention.
Parent Petition
Campuses rated AU for three consecutive years after reconstitution (6th year AU campuses) are subject to an order by the commissioner of education for repurposing, alternative management, or closure of the campus under TEC §39.107(e)-(e-1). The 82nd legislature added TEC §39.107(e-2), which permits parents to petition the commissioner regarding the order for repurposing, alternative management, or closure. The rules implementing this change to statute are found at 19 TAC §97.1065(c). Guidance and sample materials for parents and school districts are found at Parent Petition.