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Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS)

Texas Continuous Improvement Process

The Division of Review and Support strives to improve special education services for Texas local education agencies (LEAs). The monitoring process is intended to help school districts continuously improve services and facilitate positive student outcomes. LEAs currently engaging in the Cyclical Review process, without an on-site visit, will be asked to participate in and distribute an electronic Stakeholder Survey. 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ Differentiated Monitoring and Supports Comprehensive Guide 2025-2026

Cyclical Reviews

State education agencies have a responsibility under federal law, to establish a system of general supervision that monitors local education agencies' (LEA) implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004. The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ (ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ) is accountable to monitor local education agencies (LEAs) to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and to improve services and results for students with disabilities.  

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, dyslexia monitoring will be integrated into the cyclical review process in alignment with TEC §29.0031 and the guidelines outlined in The Dyslexia Handbook. 

The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ will conduct IDEA cyclical reviews to determine compliance with federal and state laws for serving students with disabilities; and to assist LEAs in resolving specific issues or concerns that impact services and outcomes for students with disabilities. 

All LEAs in the state of Texas will be, at a minimum, monitored every six years in a scheduled cycle. Cyclical monitoring schedules are published on the ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ website in two-year increments. LEAs participating in cyclical monitoring will also receive correspondence from the ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ at the start of the school year, and throughout the monitoring process. Each school year, LEAs selected for monitoring will be reviewed in three groups as follows: 

Group 1: October-December 

Group 2: January-March 

Group 3: April-June 

Cyclical Monitoring Guide

2025-2031 Cyclical Monitoring Schedule

View 2025-2031 Schedule

Cyclical Monitoring Reports

The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ reviews data collected as part of any monitoring review activity to ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements. The cyclical monitoring reports provide the results of the LEA's compliance review related to state general supervision requirements. The reports for each cycle are available on the page linked below.

Cyclical Reports

Targeted Reviews

Performance levels determined for each LEA will trigger differentiated levels of monitoring and enforcement by the agency to improve results-driven outcomes for students. The indicators will be used as a preventative diagnostic for LEAs to develop solutions for issues impacting results for students with disabilities. The performance levels identify the need for more in-depth analysis. LEAs that are identified as having an overall Determination level of 2, 3, or 4 will be asked to participate in a Targeted Support Review which will focus on the identified areas that require intervention.

Targeted Monitoring Reports

The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ reviews data collected as part of any monitoring review activity to ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements. Targeted monitoring reports provide the results of the LEA's compliance review related to state general supervision requirements. The targeted monitoring reports are available on the page linked below.

View Targeted Reports

Intensive Support

Local Education Agencies (LEA) that have been identified as having Significant Disproportionality – Year 3 (SD3) and a Determination Level (DL) 3 or Determination Level 4 will be required to participate in Intensive Support. The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ in conjunction with the LEA will complete a comprehensive diagnostic data review (CDDR) including a facilitated root cause analysis to provide recommendations and support for reducing Significant Disproportionality.

Clarification Process

After the TSDS SPEDS Summer submission closes, ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ offers LEAs meeting participation criteria the opportunity to submit clarifications containing evidence of any pre-finding corrections for SPPI indicators:

• 11a Timely Initial Evaluations
• 11b Eligibility Determination
• SPPI 12 Early Childhood Transition, and/or
• SPPI 13 Secondary Transition

This clarification process allows LEAs an opportunity to evidence data entry errors and/or document the correction of any potential findings of non-compliance for SPPI 11A, 11B, 12, and 13 using the criteria of  B-11, prior to the state issuing a finding of noncompliance.

LEAs who meet participation requirements and opt to participate in the clarification process are not guaranteed pre-finding correction of noncompliance. 

For additional information, please reference the State Performance Plan Clarification & CAP Process Guide or contact the Division of Monitoring, Review and Support at reviewandsupport@tea.texas.gov.

Historical Documents

• 2024-2025 Differentiated Monitoring and Support Guide
• 2024-2025 SY SPPI Data Clarification Resources:
• State Performance Plan Indicator Data Overview (PDF)
• SPP Clarification Process (PDF)
• SPPI Clarification Process Participation Considerations (PDF)
• SPPI Child-specific Corrections Verification Workbook (Excel)
• SPPI Attestation Form (PDF)

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