System Changes When to Submit an Expansion and Modification Application
Some districts choose to expand their local designation system to add more eligible campuses and teaching assignments, or modify various components of their system. To do so, they must submit an Expansion and Modification Application.
If a district has an accepted System Application, here are some of the reasons they would need to submit an Expansion and Modification Application:
- Adding or modifying eligible teaching assignments or eligible teacher categories
- Adding or removing eligible campuses
- Changing or adding student growth measures
- Changing a teacher observation rubric
- Changing the spending plan
However, these system changes do not require an Expansion and Modification Application:
- Changes to component weighting
- Removing or adding optional system components
- Changes to the process for setting expected student growth targets
- Changes to district local performance standards and designation cut points
- Adding newly built campuses to the eligible campus list, if the system already includes all campuses
The Process Applying for System Expansion and Modification
The annual window for system Expansion and Modification mirrors the standard system application process. Changes to statutory components are subject to TEA review and must be accepted prior to implementation. The Expansion and Modification Application is shorter than the original System Application, and TEA does not require the district to administer a new Teacher Buy-In Survey. Districts answer an initial series of questions to determine which sections to complete and only complete areas pertaining to their specific system changes.
Once accepted, the updated System Application takes effect the following school year; the system cannot be changed retroactively. Like the initial System Application, TEA scores Expansion and Modification Applications and allows an opportunity for revision and resubmission if needed. If a district’s Expansion and Modification Application is denied, the district may continue implementing the existing accepted System Application. Once the Expansion and Modification application is accepted, districts must capture observation and student growth data in accordance with the now updated System Application in the upcoming school year.
The application deadline is April 15, 2024
Expansion & Modification Application
Application Exemplar Answers
2023-24 TIA Expansion and Modification Application Launch
2023-2024 Deadlines
Expansion and Modification FAQ’s
How can districts include Special Education teachers in the local designation system?
Some districts choose to begin with a subset of teaching assignments or campuses and then create plans to expand their system after initial approval. As district teams build their local designation system, they can include support teachers such as interventionists, SPED inclusion, and dyslexia teachers if they are employed as a teacher (087 Role ID in PEIMS) and have a valid and reliable student growth measure.
Review this resource to learn more about integrating Special Education teachers in the TIA local designation system: TIA Special Education
Can a district phase in groups of teachers over time?
Yes. Districts have local flexibility to develop their local designation systems. For example, a district may choose to include only math and reading teachers in year one, and then expand to include science and social studies teachers in year two, etc. Districts must submit an expansions/modifications application by April for changes to begin capturing data for new teacher groups the following school year.
Can a district apply for TIA only at specific campuses in its district and not others?
Yes. Districts must specify which campuses are eligible under their local designation system and are not required to include all campuses. However, the district may still receive funds for designated teachers employed at campuses that are not included in their local designation system.
Can interventionalists or inclusion teachers be included in the local designation system?
It is a district decision whether or not to include support teachers in the local designation system. TEA does not limit eligibility to teachers of record. Teachers must be coded with a 087 teacher role ID in PEIMS to be eligible.