Director, Accountability Strategy and Analysis (Director II)

Job Description

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values:

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.

• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.

• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.

• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

This is a 10-day posting, which will close on February 6, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Position Overview: TEA's Performance Reporting Division seeks to ensure continuous improvement in the academic achievement of all Texas public school students by: continually improving, designing, developing, and implementing transparent, rigorous, and fair academic accountability systems and policy; providing accurate, comprehensive, user-centered academic performance reporting systems & reports, and tools & trackers based on stakeholder engagement and feedback; and monitoring and validating data to ensure the integrity of these accountability systems.

The Director of Accountability Strategy and Analysis is responsible for leading the development of the data-driven proposals that modify and define the measures and standards of the state accountability system as defined in Texas Education Code. The director holds a thorough, expert, and ongoing understanding of the current state and federal accountability systems. The director effectively leads a team to interpret statute and legislation and draw from stakeholder feedback analysis, to conduct advanced research to make and visually explain proposed recommendations for improvements to the state accountability system. Leading and collaborating with members of other agency divisions without a direct management line, the director builds strong relationships necessary for effective collaboration.

The director immediately serves as a leader that collaborates and interacts regularly with senior stakeholders within the agency and in the field. Directly informing decisions made by the commissioner of education, legislators and legislative committees, and the Texas Accountability Advisory Group, the director has exceptional communications in writing, speaking, listening, and presenting technical information.

The director also plans, assigns, and supervises the work of highly specialized individuals with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The director effectively uses project and team management tools to establish workstream plans, goals, and metrics; develops policies, procedures, and guidelines; sets priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; and coordinates and evaluates program activities.

This position oversees a strategy and analysis team of 4 to 6 members who (1) conduct data analysis and research and (2) guide decision-making and strategy for the state and federal accountability systems.

This position reports to the Principal Director of Performance Reporting Policy and Communications.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Prepare Analyses on the Strategic Design of the State Accountability System: Plans and oversees the execution of all data analyses conducted as a part of the accountability refresh. Provides team members with direction on research and modeling exercises that are based on legislation and stakeholder feedback and that facilitate the development of short-term and long-term strategy of the state's A-F and federal accountability systems as guided by state law. Project manages the timely and effective roll out of refreshed A-F Systems every five years.

2. Facilitate Understanding of Analyses of the State Accountability System: With the Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, effectively leads (or co-leads) the agency through the examination of data analyses conducted as a part of the accountability refresh. Participates in feedback gathering and co-facilitates committee work to gain approval on updates to the Texas A-F state accountability system.

3. Direct Division Policy Releases and Support Performance Reporting Releases: Directs the development of the annual accountability manual and supports the Communications team with the supplementary communications resources for accountability policy and rulemaking. Also provides technical assistance during data releases, including guiding the team with technical support documents, and data visualizations. Supports the team on the ad-hoc data analyses needed to respond to stakeholder inquiries throughout the year.

4. Direct the Annual Review of Accountability Ratings: Plans and oversees the annual production of A-F and Federal Accountability ratings results reviews and deep dive or ad-hoc presentations during preliminary and final rating releases. Leads the team through the accountability appeals process.

5. Team Management and Supervision: Effectively lead and manage a high performing, engaged team.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in public school accountability or education data research, or in large scale program management. At least two (2) years of experience as a supervisor is required

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military

• Knowledge and experience in project planning, goal setting, and time management while handling multiple projects

• Knowledge and experience in statistical or data reporting and creating technical documentation

• Preferred knowledge of Texas public school education data and familiarity with the federal public school accountability system

• Preferred knowledge of state and federal educational policies and procedures

• Skill in assuring the quality and accuracy of work produced by self and others

• Skill in handling multiple projects

• Skill in exhibiting a positive attitude and professional behavior to support colleagues in achieving division and agency goals

• Ability to write clearly and concisely

• Ability to evaluate policies and procedures

• Ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals and groups

• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including interruptions and short deadlines

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with federal and state government, school district staff, and the public

• Ability to be detail-oriented

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State's Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military "occupational category" that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Employment at TEA page.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please add "[email protected]" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.