School Systems Identified with a High Dropout Rate

Texas continues to proactively engage in efforts to support dropout prevention, high school completion and college and career readiness.  State law (Texas Education Code (TEC), §29.918) requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools with a high dropout rate, as determined by the commissioner of education, to submit a plan each year describing how the school system will use the Compensatory Education Allotment for developing and implementing strategies for dropout prevention.

Identification 

To identify school systems with “high dropout rates," only school systems with dropout rates above their respective accountability group averages were referred to the Division of School Improvement:

• A four-year longitudinal dropout rate above 4.5% for standard accountability school systems; and
• A four-year longitudinal dropout rate above 33.4% for Alternative Education Accountability (AEA) school systems.

The top 25% of standard accountability school systems identified as having a “high dropout rate” are required to submit a Dropout Prevention Plan and Needs Assessment via the Intervention, Stage, and Activity Manager (ISAM) application in TEAL.

• School systems held to standard accountability are required to submit a dropout prevention plan if they have a longitudinal dropout rate greater than or equal to 10.4%.

All AEA school systems identified as having a “high dropout rate” are required to submit a Dropout Prevention Plan and Needs Assessment via the Intervention, Stage, and Activity Manager (ISAM) application in TEAL.

• School systems held to alternative education accountability (AEA) standards with a longitudinal dropout rate greater than or equal to 36.4% are also required to submit a dropout prevention plan.

Statutory Submission Requirements

At a minimum, the dropout prevention plan must include the following items as outlined in TEC, §29.918(d):

1. Career and Technology Education courses or technology applications courses that lead to industry or career certification.
2. Research-based strategies to assist students in becoming academically able to pursue postsecondary education, including:
   1. High-quality, college readiness instruction with strong academic and social supports.
   2. Secondary to postsecondary bridging that builds college readiness skills, provides a plan for college completion, and ensures transition counseling.
   3. Information concerning appropriate supports available in the first year of postsecondary enrollment to ensure postsecondary persistence and success.
3. Plan to offer advanced academic and transition opportunities, including dual credit courses and college preparatory courses, such as advanced placement courses.

Dropout Prevention Plan and Needs Assessment Template

School systems identified as having a “high dropout rate” will complete the Dropout Prevention Plan and Needs Assessment found on the TEA Dropout Prevention Plan webpage and submit it to the Texas Education Agency via the Intervention, Stage, and Activity Manager (ISAM) application in TEAL by November 21, 2025. The workbook contains all statutory requirements and additional open-ended questions in the second tab (Needs Assessment) regarding processes, procedures, training and program effectiveness for the school system’s dropout prevention plan. Note: The portal in TEAL will be available starting November 1, 2025.

School systems are expected to enter a response to all questions in both tabs of the workbook.

Contact Information

Texas Education Agency Division of School Improvement 
(512)463-5226
SIDivision@tea.texas.gov