Comprehensive Needs Assessment

What do we need? How can we improve?

An LEA receiving a T4PA allocation less than $30,000 are not required to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment (it is however, considered a best practice). LEAs must still consult with required T4PA stakeholders, but are only required to focus on one of the three T4PA content areas (Well-Rounded, Safe + Healthy, Technology).

LEAs must regularly consult with stakeholders in the community they serve. This ongoing consultation helps improve activities and ensure they work well with other community efforts. According to the law, LEAs need ongoing consultation with stakeholders, who should review relevant data to identify the most urgent needs of students and schools. T4PA requires these consultation meetings to happen before any decisions are made.

Document Meetings: meeting dates, attendance records, and sign in sheets with stakeholders' roles
An LEA must try its best to contact all necessary stakeholders for consultation. If any stakeholder declines or doesn’t respond after this effort, the LEA should keep records (like letters, emails, or meeting notes) to show they made a genuine attempt. This documentation may be needed for review by TEA or an auditor.

Stakeholders that must be included but are not limited to:

Charter School Teachers, Principals, School Leaders (if such agency or consortium of such agencies supports charter schools)
Community-Based Organizations
Indian tribes or tribal organizations that may be in the region served by the LEA (when applicable)
How does an LEA find out if tribal organizations are located within their boundaries?
Local Government Representatives (if applicable) (local law enforcement agencies, local juvenile courts, local child welfare agencies, local public housing agencies)
Others with Relevant and Demonstrated Expertise
Parents/Guardians
Specialized Instructional Support Staff
Students
Teachers

QR Sheet 2b_Comprehensive Stakeholder Requirements by Program.pdf

2. Where do we allocate funds?

For an LEA that receives at least $30,000, use no less than 20% of funds to develop and implement programs and activities that support access to a well-rounded education and that—

are coordinated with other schools and community-based services and programs;
may be conducted in partnership with an institution of higher education, business, nonprofit organization, community-based organization, or other public or private entity with a demonstrated record of success in implementing activities; and
may include one or more activities or programs that provide well-rounded educational opportunities to all students.

3. Are you completing a CCNA every three (3) years?

Questions to consider:

Which stakeholders can help identify local needs and root causes? How can they be involved early and meaningfully throughout the process?
What data is needed to understand local needs?
Do our current systems fully capture the needs of our most vulnerable students, including those facing challenges that may not be reflected in surveys or data (e.g., trauma experienced by refugee students)?
Are there systemic inequities contributing to some local needs?
How should we prioritize needs when several important ones are identified?

Quick Links

TEA Collaborative Comprehensive Needs (CNNA) Resources Toolkit Quick Link

REAP vs. Funding Transferability Quick Link

CNA Resource for Small Schools

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