Results Driven Accountability

As referenced in 19 Texas Administrative Code §97.1005, Results Driven Accountability, the Texas Education Agency (TEA or agency) is implementing RDA related activities for the 2020- 2021 school year. 

The 2020 RDA framework includes several key changes including the consolidation, expansion, and elimination of program specific components in addition to indicator changes. Detailed information about specific indicators is available in the 2020 RDA Manual. 

The 2020-21 determination levels for local education agencies (LEAs) for the bilingual education/English as a second language (BE/ESL/EL), other special populations (OSP), and special education (SPED) program areas will be available on October 16, 2020 through the Ascend application in the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL). If you need assistance requesting access to the Ascend application in TEAL, please contact the Department of Review and Support via email at reviewandsupport@tea.texas.gov. 

Descriptions of the criteria that were used to select LEAs for 2020-21 interventions will be available on the program specific intervention and guidance pages found on the Department of Review and Support webpage on or before October 16, 2020. Although many of the monitoring requirements remain the same as in previous years, all updated monitoring and intervention requirements are described in the RDA Interventions Requirements. Please refer to RDA Intervention Requirements, the BE/ESL/EL and OSP RDA Intervention and Submission Calendar and/or the Special Education RDA Intervention and Submission Calendar for further details. 

On October 13, 2020, the Department of Review and Support will provide external stakeholders an overview of the 2020 Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Framework and the criteria used to select local education agencies (LEAs) for 2020-21 continuous improvement activities. To register for the upcoming webinar, please visit https://bit.ly/32DrkM5. The webinar and additional RDA resources will be posted to the Department of Review and Support webpage to support education service center (ESC) and local education agency (LEA) staff. 

If an individual or unanticipated circumstance impacts an LEA’s ability to meet required intervention timelines, information detailing individual circumstances, along with a projected date for completion of activities, should be submitted to the Department of Review and Support via email at reviewandsupport@tea.texas.gov. Such a request does not automatically defer any other requirements contained in this letter or other monitoring documents, but individual circumstances or requests for extensions will be considered. 

Additionally, if data accuracy issues are identified either as part of the agency’s data review or during the implementation of intervention activities, the LEA will be required to address procedural and systematic improvements used to collect and submit data. LEAs also may be subject to escalated oversight, interventions, and/or sanctions whenever such action is required. Finally, should your LEA be identified because of any other monitoring activities the TEA is required to conduct, including monitoring activities related to accreditation determinations or compliance with federal formula and discretionary grant requirements, you will be notified in a timely manner by appropriate agency staff. 

We appreciate your ongoing dedication to continuous improvement and anticipate that a data-driven, performance-based approach to monitoring will continue to assist you in your efforts to improve student achievement. 

Sincerely, 

C. Jennifer Alexander 
Associate Commissioner, Office of Special Populations and Monitoring 

Contact 

For additional support or questions regarding intervention requirements or questions regarding monitoring, please contact the Department of Review and Support at reviewandsupport@tea.texas.gov or 512-463-9414.