Division of Operational Support
The Division of Operational Support oversees the daily operation of education programs, compliance, policy, staffing, campus planning, attendance, in-service training, and educational assessment of offenders at intake. Contact Information
Within the Division of Operational Support are:
- Regional Operations
- Office of Compliance and Operational Review
- Government Relations, Planning, and Evaluation
- Intake and Records Department
The Director for Operational Support coordinates with regional administrators to oversee educational programs in each of the geographic regions of WSD. Regional administrators oversee the operation of educational programs at each of the TDCJ units and coordinate WSD activities with the unit wardens and TDCJ regional administration. Principals are assigned to each unit and are responsible for implementing the programs assigned to the unit. Some principals at units with small education programs may be assigned responsibility for two or more units.
The Office of Compliance and Operational Review monitors school programs for compliance with TDCJ and WSD policies. The Compliance Specialist is responsible for the revision of review documentation, unit visits, and writing follow-up reports. This office also monitors compliance with attendance accounting policies and procedures, and provides technical assistance to WSD personnel. A monitor visits all ID and private facilities in the state in accordance with a three-year scheduled Operational Review cycle established by TDCJ, and performs desk audits for all facilities not visited during the current year. The Compliance Specialist also serves as liaison to the State Jail Division and private prisons, providing technical assistance to principals and wardens.
Government Relations, Planning, and Evaluation is responsible for accountability data, research, Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) support, tracking legislation, and the preparation of a variety of reports. The department distributes accountability data quarterly, conducts research for Windham School District, coordinates external research projects involving WSD, and tracks WSD related legislation during legislative sessions. Staff also prepare the WSD Annual Performance Report and provide monthly, annual, and special request reports to TDCJ, WSD regional offices, and various government agencies. These reports depict the performance of individual campuses and the overall performance of Windham School District. The Coordinator of Government Relations, Planning, and Evaluation provides ITP training and support for all WSD schools.
Intake and Records Department
The Intake and Records Department is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the Educational Assessment at Intake Process. Incoming offenders participate in the Educational Assessment at Intake Process on 21 facilities across the state. The process includes:
- An orientation to educational programs within TDCJ Grade verification
- Language survey
- Educational achievement testing
- Career assessment through aptitude and interest inventory
- Employment and vocational training history
- Career and educational counseling
- Recommendations for educational programs/training and job placement within TDCJ.
Assessment reports can be generated by unit staff from data entered during the Educational Assessment at Intake Process.
Intake and Records distributes revisions and updates for three publications: Intake and Records Department Handbook, Quick Reference Guide, and Job Descriptions for Assessed Job Skills. Intake and Records is also responsible for:
- Responding to legal requests for educational records
- Processing grade claim and college claim verifications
- Responding to offender education records requests
- Maintaining educational records on program participants
- Updating and maintaining TEA GED scores online
- Microfilming and updating electronic educational/intake records
- Maintaining electronic records for inactive WSD employees.