Differentiated Monitoring & Support
The Differentiated Monitoring Support system consists of two types of special education program monitoring: Cyclical reviews and Targeted reviews. The graphic below provides a visual overview of the various activities included in the TEA Differentiated Monitoring & Support System.
Contact Us
Overview of DMS Activities
based on RDA Determination Level
DMS Helpful Links
Self-Assessment
The purpose of the special education self-assessment is to assist Local Education Agency (LEA) leadership teams in evaluating and improving their educational program serving students with disabilities receiving special education services. The special education self-assessment is completed annually by all LEAs, regardless of RDA framework determinations, and is intended to engage leadership teams in proactively addressing special education compliance and supporting student performance.
The window for completion of the special education self-assessment will be from April 29, 2025, through September 26, 2025. For the 2024-2025 School year, LEAs will be required to complete the 23 compliance/strategy areas.
Self-Assessment links
Cyclical & Targeted Reviews
Every LEA in the state participates in cyclical review of their special education program on a six-year rotating schedule. Cyclical reviews are intended to provide a comprehensive analysis of the LEA’s special education program, including a review of the LEA’s special education policies and practices. The schedules for cyclical review are published on the TEA Review and Support website.
Our team can provide support for your district prior to cyclical monitoring by conducting IEP Folder Reviews, providing training for staff on what to expect, or providing support and training on any area identified by your district in this area. Contact Chalease Denson or Gaelen Singler for more information or to schedule an IEP Folder Review for your LEA.
Cyclical & Targeted Review links
Results-Driven Accountability
The RDA is a local education agency (LEA) level, data-driven framework developed and implemented annually by the Department of Review and Support in coordination with other departments within the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The RDA Manual, formerly the Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS), is intended to serve as a comprehensive technical resource used by the TEA as one part of its annual evaluation of LEAs’ performance and program effectiveness.
To obtain the unmasked, confidential RDA Reports for your LEA, access the TEAL Accountability application.
RDA Helpful Links
Support Plans
Strategic Support Plan (SSP): The Strategic Support Plan is recommended for all LEAs to utilize related to Results-Driven Accountability and the SpEd Self-Assessment areas identified by the LEA for improvement.
The Strategic Support Plan is required to be completed by LEAs with a Determination Level of 2, 3, or 4 in the Special Education Domain, or a Determination Level of 3 or 4 in the Bilingual/ESL/EB and OSP domains reported annually through Results-Driven Accountability.
Corrective Action Plan (CAP): The purpose of the corrective action plan (CAP) is to guide LEAs through an in-depth analysis of components contributing to noncompliance, and to develop strategies to create a CAP to resolve noncompliance as identified by the monitoring priorities within the State Performance Plan (SPP) federally required elements and/or by Differentiated Monitoring Support (DMS) activities.
ASCEND Texas CAP Process/ASCEND User Guide: CAP
IDEA Equity Requirements
