October 23, 2015 4:17 PM

Powerful tool for school intervention by the state sits at the Legislative Budget Board

Of all the interventions done in the state for failing schools and districts, these reviews are the most transparent.

One of the state’s best intervention tools for troubled schools isn’t housed at the Texas Education Agency or the state’s education service centers; instead, it resides with a little known team of employees at the Legislative Budget Board.

The School Performance Review team of 11 employees completes an average of 5 school district reviews a year. The latest was Big Spring Independent School District, which has a long history of academic shortfalls. The review, recently released, suggested a revised organizational structure, a long-range planning process and stronger tools to manage and evaluate curriculum.

Of all the interventions done in the state for failing schools and districts, these reviews are the most transparent. The 185 pages of the Big Spring review documents numerous recommendations for improvement, based on an analysis of data and extensive on-site interviews with staff and the community.

By Kimberly Reeves