To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence

Sentinel

About This TAA

Date:
July 25, 2024
Subject:
Sentinel
Category:
School Safety and Security
Division(s):
Sentinel
Next Steps:
Please share with all district and education service center safety personnel

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taa-sentinel.pdf

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Overview

The Texas Education Agency’s Office of School Safety and Security works to build the capacity of school systems and regional education service centers (ESCs) to promote the physical and psychological well-being of students and staff - recognizing that safer schools positively impact student outcomes.

Today, Governor Greg Abbott announced the statewide launch of Sentinel, the TEA’s formal school safety system designed to collect, process, store, and distribute school safety and security information. This To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) provides additional details to Texas school systems about the platform. 

Sentinel

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §37.1083, each school district and open-enrollment charter school is required to submit information requested by TEA in their efforts to monitor the implementation and operation of school district safety and security requirements. Sentinel will serve as the data reporting mechanism and repository for all safety and security-related data submitted by school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, campuses and other entities to TEA.

Sentinel is comprised of four primary components:

  • Statewide Programs - school safety initiatives required by state statute and under the purview of TEA’s Office of School Safety and Security which include:
    • Intruder Detection Audits,
    • Behavioral Threat Assessments,
    • District Vulnerability Assessments, and
    • Emergency Management;
  • Data Integration - connecting data from multiple sources across an organization to provide a complete, accurate and current dataset for data analysis and other applications and business processes; 
  • Tools and Resources - elements or components of the systems that the user can interact with or use to gain a better understanding of their work; and 
  • System Supports - elements and processes designed to facilitate the functioning, optimization and automation of the system.

Sentinel launch date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024

The Office of School Safety and Security will be hosting a Sentinel overview webinar for district and campus staff on July 31, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Participants Must:

  • Be Superintendents and/or their school safety designees. 
  • Have a registered Zoom account for verification and authentication purposes. 
  • Register using their district or ESC email address.

For registration information, contact your local Educational Service Center.

For Additional Information

For questions, information, or guidance related to this TAA, please contact the Office of School Safety and Security at SafeSchools@TEA.Texas.gov.