Alternative Education Accountability (AEA) Registration

Alternative Education Accountability (AEA) Registration

March 18, 2025 | PEIMS & Data Management

Accountability systems can be unbalanced for schools with high at-risk populations, so Texas allows for alternative accountability evaluations for schools that meet certain criteria. The registration window will open soon in TEAL to apply to be a Dropout Recovery School which will qualify you for alternate accountability measures. This is especially important for charters to avoid unfair F ratings that can lead to school closures. Read on to see if you qualify.

The CSS PEIMS department trains our partner schools and evaluates student data to ensure accurate at-risk and dropout identification procedures.

What is the AEA criteria?

For 2025, the following are the criteria for a campus to meet AEA designation:

  • meet either the current-year or prior-year TSDS PEIMS 75 percent at-risk criterion;
  • have at least 90 percent of students enrolled in grades 6–12, as verified through 2024-25 fall enrollment data;
  • be identified as offering alternative instruction in AskTED; and
  • provide education services targeted to dropout prevention and recovery of students with enrollment consisting of at least 60 percent of the students 16 years of age or older as of September 1, 2024.

If TEA identifies your campus as meeting all these criteria from the October 2024 PEIMS snapshot, the designation as a Dropout Recovery School (DRS) should be automatic; however, if you are new or unsure, you should check to make sure. If you meet all criteria except age, you have to take action to apply for a “discretionary” DRS designation.

How do I sign up and get approved?

If you had AEA designation last year, it should carry over as long as you still met criteria on your fall PEIMS submission. You should verify in the Accountability application in TEAL. If you need to apply for discretionary DRS designation, it is done in the Accountability application in TEAL.

The final list of AEA campuses is published in April. CSS does not have the deadline to apply for AEA status, but TEA announced on March 11, 2025 that the registration window will “open soon” to complete the list by April. CSS advises you to check the Accountability application immediately after Spring Break.

Where can I find more information about AEA Registration?

NOTE: If you had inaccurate data in AskTED or fall PEIMS submission, you will need to contact TEA about your status.

Need help?

Please contact Charter School Success:

Have questions?