Overview
Introduction
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) operates year-round educational programs at schools for youth ages 10-18 who've been committed to TJJD facilities. Principals and teachers at the schools are TJJD employees.
At TJJD halfway houses and some contract facilities, TJJD contracts with local school districts to provide formal education.
The TJJD Board provides policy to guide those areas of the instructional program that require board leadership.
Education accountability criteria measure academic results for youth at TJJD facilities. The accountability system addresses improvement gains in reading and math and completion of a general educational development (GED) certificate or a diploma of graduation under the requirements of the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education. (see Graduation Resources below) In addition TJJD-operated schools are held accountable for average daily attendance (ADA).
Youth committed to TJJD function, on average, four to five years below expected grade level for their ages. Nonetheless, they participate in all required state assessments as well as the nationally standardized Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
A youth's educational progress is a consideration in determining the youth's overall achievement in completing his or her personal rehabilitation plan. A youth has the opportunity to, explore career options, earn industry certifications, earn course credits toward high school graduation, and/or obtain a GED.
Youth who have graduated or completed a GED may also pursue college credits and/or special vocational certificates, depending on available resources and meeting program entry requirements. Dual credit courses are also offered as an option for high school students.
Goal
The primary goal of the TJJD educational program is to provide each youth quality academic and vocational experiences in order to better equip them for a successful reentry into community life, whether that reentry includes additional formal education or immediate employment. Research also indicates that students who have completed a GED or diploma are less likely to commit new crimes.
Assessment
Upon admission to TJJD Orientation and Assessment, each youth receives individualized achievement testing and completes a vocational aptitude and interest inventory. As appropriate, youth also receive psychological and language proficiency evaluations. In addition, each student completes standardized testing in reading and math that determines the instructional needs of the student.
Upon placement in a TJJD educational program, high school students participate in developing a four-year graduation plan. The student is then placed into appropriate courses and progresses in an accelerated program. Elementary and middle school students are placed in grade appropriate courses. Additional diagnostic assessment continues as students demonstrate their proficiency in the classroom, and students who are eligible for special services are appropriately identified and served. Education goals are incorporated in each student’s Individual Case Plan (ICP).
Conclusion
TJJD schools provide supplemental reading support for all students exhibiting a deficiency in reading and utilize Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a behavioral framework. All educators are state certified and work toward the shared mission of impacting the lives of their students to ensure their success.
TEA District Name: Texas Juvenile Justice Department TEA County-District Number: 227-622
| 004 | Lone Star High School South |
Evins Regional Juvenile Center Edinburg TX |
| 005 | Lone Star High School North |
Gainesville State School Gainesville TX |
| 006 | Lone Star High School Southeast |
Giddings State School Giddings TX |
| 008 | Lone Star High School Central |
McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility Mart TX |
| 009 | Lone Star High School West |
Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex Brownwood TX |
Education Records
Education Records Destruction Notice
To Whom It May Concern:
If you are an adult who received education services from a Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) school or if your child received education services from a TJJD school, including special education services for students with disabilities, please be aware of the following:
- All youth education files and special education student eligibility records WILL BE DESTROYED seven years after you (or your child) was discharged from TJJD. These records are no longer needed to provide educational services to you (or your child). However, you (or your child) may need these records for social security benefits or other purposes.
- Destruction of records will occur on September 1st of each year. If you want a copy of your (or your child’s) records, you must notify the TJJD Records Management Specialist on or before August 15th in the seventh year after your (or your child’s) discharge date. You may request a copy by contacting the TJJD Records Management Specialist by phone at (512) 490-7734; by fax at (512) 490-7930; or by email at .
- This notice is in compliance with federal regulation 34 CFR §300.573, which details the requirements for destruction of records for students with disabilities or those who receive special education services.
- The records to be destroyed do not include youth academic records. TJJD keeps academic records permanently. These types of records include workforce development course certificates, official industry/vocational certificates, high school diploma, most current college transcript, GED certificate and/or transcript, most current high school transcript from TJJD and high school transcript from the previous school.
Special Education
Resources on Special Education in Texas
For information regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Dyslexia, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, please visit TEA's Special Education Resources page.
Texas Transition & Employment Guide
The Texas Transition and Employment Guide can help students with disabilities to plan for adult life. You can begin planning while you are in school. Use the guide to find out what to expect and where to find help.
Additional Resources (in .pdf format)
- Overview of Special Education for Parents (English)
- Overview of Special Education for Parents (Spanish)
- Compensatory Services (English)
- Compensatory Services (Spanish)
- Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services (English)
- Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services (Spanish)
- The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update (English)
- The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update (Spanish)
- Parent's Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Proces (English)
- Parent's Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process (Spanish)
- Notice of Procedural Safegards (English)
- Notice of Procedural Safegards (Spanish)
- TEA Special Education Dispute Resolution Systems Handbook (English)
- TEA Special Education Dispute Resolution Systems Handbook (Spanish)
- Updates in Special Education (English)
- Updates in Special Education (Spanish)