Reviewing and Verifying School Data in Texas

This page highlights the Self-Reported Data Unit, which reviews self-reported student and program data as part of TEA’s broader monitoring efforts.

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Self-Reported Data Unit

Overview

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) depends on school systems to report accurate data that meet state and federal requirements. This data helps families, educators, policymakers, and the public understand how school systems are operating and performing.

To support accurate reporting, the Self-Reported Data Unit (SRDU) reviews self-reported student and program data to identify potential issues, clarify requirements, and promote reliable data and strong local practices statewide. Most data-related reviews begin when data anomalies or potential concerns are identified through routine monitoring or in response to information that has been brought to the agency’s attention.

How SRDU Reviews and Monitors School Data

SRDU most often reviews data submitted by school systems through:

  • Texas Student Data System Public Education Information Management System (TSDS PEIMS)
  • Performance‑Based Monitoring (PBM) annual data validation indicators
  • Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE)

When SRDU identifies or is alerted to unusual data patterns or potential reporting issues, the team works with school systems and relevant TEA program areas to better understand the data, clarify reporting and programmatic requirements, and promote accurate data reporting and compliant practices across the state.

When appropriate, SRDU may, on behalf of TEA, issue a local review or audit request to a school system. These requests describe the data concern and give school systems an opportunity to review their data, policies, and procedures and address issues locally, when possible. 

In some situations, data concerns may require a more detailed review. In those cases, SRDU may conduct a self-reported data compliance review. 

What is a Compliance Review

A compliance review is a formal, collaborative process in which SRDU works with a school district or charter school to assess compliance with applicable data reporting and related program requirements. Receiving a compliance review does not automatically mean there was wrongdoing or inaccurate data. SRDU requests documentation and other information by a specified deadline, reviews the information provided, and determines whether there has been a violation.

Compliance reviews often result in technical assistance or additional guidance, aiming to improve school systems’ local practices and future reporting.

TEA’s goals during a compliance review are to:

  • Confirm whether reported data accurately reflect district operations and performance
  • Verify compliance with related state and federal requirements
  • Support stronger local policies, procedures, and data reporting practices

Compliance Reviews and Accountability Reporting

In some cases, a compliance review may affect state accountability data and reporting. If TEA determines that reported data does not reflect the actual performance of a school system, TEA may update their overall accountability score or rating to reflect verified information. When this happens:

  • A school system’s preliminary and/or final rating is changed on TXschools.gov and other accountability reports. 
  • Public reports include a clear label indicating that the overall score or rating was updated due to a data compliance review.
  • The label helps parents, researchers, and the public understand why the rating differs from the original submission.
  • The underlying data originally submitted by the school system are not changed.

FAQs for School Districts and Charter Schools

The following FAQs provide procedural guidance and system-specific details for school districts and charter schools.

  • Depending on the review’s outcome, TEA may take one or more of the following actions:

    • Close the review with no further action if the school system’s response satisfies TEA’s concerns through verified data accuracy and/or evidence of program fidelity
    • Work with the school system to complete corrective actions to improve data reporting and establish better local practices
    • Enter into an agreement with the school system to issue an accountability rating that reflects their actual performance 

    Refer the matter to TEA’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for further investigation.

  • Yes. A compliance review can affect an accountability rating.

    TEA’s 2026 State Accountability Manual explains how compliance reviews relate to state accountability data. If TEA makes a preliminary determination that the accuracy or integrity of performance results may have been compromised, whether intentional or not, the case may be referred to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

    At any point, a district may receive a temporary “Data Under Review” label on a preliminary or final accountability rating. This label may appear on TXschools.gov and the Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR).

    Based on the results of a state accountability compliance review and investigation, TEA may issue one of the following accountability ratings for a school system:

    • Not Rated: Data Integrity Issues
    • A rating that reflects the district’s actual performance, which may or may not change from the preliminary rating
    • A lower accountability rating

    If a school system’s accountability rating is changed, a label will be added to its accountability reports that states: “Overall score or rating updated as a result of a Data Compliance Review.” When a rating is updated, the underlying data in these reports do not change and continue to reflect the district’s original data submission. This label informs parents, researchers, and the public that the updated rating reflects the findings of a data-related compliance review.

  • No. School districts or charter schools undergoing a compliance review or investigation related to accountability data, or that have received a temporary “Data Under Review” label, must move forward with posting required performance information on their website under Texas Education Code §39.362.

    Updated reports will be posted on TEA’s website after the school system’s final accountability rating has been issued. See the Requirement for Posting of Performance FAQs for additional details.

  • Triggering an annual data validation indicator does not automatically result in a compliance review. 

    Instead, school systems should:

    • Conduct a local review of their data and relevant policies and procedures
    • Document any errors or concerns found through the review
    • Address any data reporting or program implementation concerns locally

    Recommended resources include:

    School districts and charter schools may seek support from an independent third party, such as their Education Service Center (ESC).

    A select number of school systems that trigger data validation indicators will be issued a compliance review. Superintendents will be notified by email if a review is issued.

  • For more information about the annual data monitoring systems, you may review the data validation manuals. If further guidance is needed, contact information depends on the nature of the review or question: