About TEA
SENS (Statewide Education Notification System)
An information delivery system that provides critical and time-sensitive information from TEA to ESCs, school districts, charter schools and other organizations through email, phone, voice mail, and pagers.
SES (Supplemental Educational Services)
Additional academic instruction designed to increase the academic achievement of students in campuses needing improvement. These services may include tutoring, remediation and other educational interventions.
SHARS (School Health & Related Services)
A Medicaid financing program that is a joint effort of TEA and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). SHARS allows local school districts and shared services arrangements to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for certain health-related services provided to students in special education.
SIP (School Improvement Program)
A program that provides supplemental funds to Title I campuses that fail to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two or more consecutive years. Funds are used to improve student achievement.
SRCS (School Readiness Certification System)
A system used to determine the effectiveness of prekindergarten, Head Start, and community-based child care programs in preparing children for kindergarten
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness)
A series of state-mandated standardized tests given to Texas public school students in grades 3-8 and those enrolled in five specific high school courses. First given in spring 2012, STAAR is based on the state's curriculum standards called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills)
The student assessment system from 1990-2002. It was replaced by the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
TAC (Texas Administrative Code)
A compilation of all state agency rules in Texas. These rules are collected and published by the Office of the Secretary of State. There are 16 titles in the TAC. Each title represents a subject category, and related agencies are assigned to the appropriate title. State Board of Education and Commissioner of Education Rules are codified in the TAC under Title 19, Education, Part 2, Texas Education Agency. State Board for Educator Certification Rules are codified in the TAC under Title 19, Education, Part 7, State Board for Educator Certification.
TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)
Criterion-referenced achievement tests designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills at each tested grade level. The TAKS program was launched in 2003 and was replaced by the STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) program beginning in 2012.
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
A federal program that provides financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children and the parents or relatives with whom they are living