The Texas Education Agency has defined thirteen criteria that help identify students that are likely to drop out of school. These include:

• Students involved in the juvenile justice system,
• Students who have been placed in an alternative education program,
• Students who are teen parents or children of teen parents,
• Children of incarcerated parents,
• Children who are wards of the State,
• Children who are homeless,
• Students who have been expelled,
• Students who fail 2 or more core academic subjects,
• Students who fail to promote to the next grade level,
• Students who fail an assessment instrument,
• Students who is of limited English proficiency

Teachers, counselors, administrators, nurses, peers and parents of the student can refer an at-risk student for CISNT services.  Once referred to CISNT, parental consent must be given to allow CISNT to serve an at-risk student.