District Equity Plans

Federal Title I, Part A, Sec. 1112(b)(2) under ESSA requires all local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive Title I funds to develop a plan for “how the local educational agency will identify and address, as required under State plans as described in section 1111(g)(1)(B), any disparities that result in low-income students and minority students being taught at higher rates than other students by ineffective, inexperienced, or out-of-field teachers.”  

This section of ESSA requires all districts that receive Title I funds to create and submit plans describing how the district will decrease gaps as they relate to low-income students and students of color being taught at higher rates than other students by inexperienced, out-of-field, and ineffective teachers. 

For the 2019–2020 school year, LEAs will be not be expected to submit new equity plans. Districts should review their current plans locally, consider opportunities for revision, and implement the identified strategies accordingly. More details on equity planning, strategies, implementation, and state data can be found on the Texas Equity Plan Toolkit. 

In addition to the Texas Equity Plan Toolkit, all education service centers (ESCs) have been trained on the Texas Equity Plan Toolkit and are ready to support districts with plan adjustments. Contacts for the Equity Leads can be found on the Texas Equity Plan Toolkit. 

TEA is in the process of working with stakeholders to determine a more effective and efficient way for LEAs to examine and work to close equity gaps.  We anticipate new guidance and plan requirements to be finalized and communicated to LEAs that receive Title I funds in November of this year.  

For questions or additional information on both the Equity Plan, please contact your local ESC equity lead listed on the Texas Equity Plan Toolkit. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Heather Salaz 
Manager, Educator Equity and Support 
Texas Education Agency