On June 2, TEA announced a new initiative to improve public schools ability to operate effective programs to close gaps in student achievement through increased flexibility in federal grant program management.
The TEA announcement stated, "In order to provide increased flexibility to federal grant subrecipients, TEA will implement policy changes that focus on:
- Allowing more discretion at the local level.
- Providing clear guidance with examples and models.
- Removing barriers that are unnecessary and burdensome.
- Improving performance and program outcomes.
- Ensuring that grant funds are spent in accordance with program statute and regulations.
Strengthening accountability for federal dollars; minimizing waste, fraud, and abuse; and providing more transparency."
TEA will be announcing focus group meetings to gather feedback about the proposed policy changes. Also, TEA will be implementing a new web page in June 2014 that is dedicated to the flexibility initiative.