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Texas Even Start Administrative Manual

June 2004, (Revised January 2008)

Instructional Services

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An initial screening to verify that potential students meet Even Start eligibility criteria is needed. Additionally, programs need a procedure for documenting which potential students are most in need, as defined in the Even Start Statute, http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg6.html. Verify that the information you have for each participant is true and correct. Be consistent in your procedure for every student. Verify that the children are the legal responsibility of the parent requesting admittance to Even Start. For example, birth certificates verify parentage. Guardianship or adoption papers would also verify that the adult has legal responsibility for the child(ren). Follow the procedures established by your organization.

Even Start programs are responsible for entering data into three statewide databases. They are TESPIRS, TEAMS and PEIMS. See Tab 5 for more information about these systems.

Consistent use of student names across all three databases is important to program accountability in AEGIS. More information on AEGIS. Since students are cross-referenced in three databases, errors will occur if student information differs between databases. Consistency can be increased by using students’ legal names. Practices for listing surnames (last) vary by country. PEIMS gives instructions for last name of children with Mexican birth certificates on 100 Record Discussion, Section 2 of C56 Data Standard. The instruction is “the first name in the area listed for last name on Mexican birth certificates is the last name.” Consistency can be further increased by using legal names on student sign-in sheets, test records, or any other student form.

Student identification numbers must also be consistent across all databases. Verify that the student identification numbers are the same in TESPIRS, TEAMS and PEIMS. This will require regular and frequent communication with your adult education provider and your local school district.

An orientation process can serve as a mechanism to introduce each student to the program, regardless of their entry date. Orientation can introduce the four components of Even Start, program procedures and expectations, gain baseline assessment data and guide students through the process of setting initial goals and goals for the semester.

Adults

Adults are entered into TESPIRS and TEAMS databases. Even Start programs enter TESPIRS data themselves while TEAMS data may be entered by the Even Start grantee or the adult education cooperative in the partnership, if one exists.

Adults are assessed using TABE or BEST to determine placement in adult education. This is referred to as the “baseline” assessment. It is generally conducted prior to entry, during orientation or on the first day of class. The HOME Inventory is used to determine gains in parenting skills. The pre-test is administered during a home visit within the first month of participation. The post-test is administered during a home visit four to nine months later. Begin services as soon as possible.

Children

Children are entered into TESPIRS and PEIMS databases. Even Start programs enter TESPIRS data themselves while PEIMS data may be entered by the program or by school district personnel. The Even Start staff knows specific entry and exit dates for Even Start children; therefore, it is the responsibility of Even Start to furnish this information to school district personnel in a timely manner. It is recommended that programs establish clear and specific procedures for the exchange of PEIMS data as early in the grant award as possible.

Begin services as soon as possible. Administer early childhood assessments as stated in the Early Childhood IPQs.

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