The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) was funded in House Bill 3 (HB 3) by the 86th Texas Legislature in June 2019. HB 3 established an optional Teacher Incentive Allotment with a stated goal of a six-figure salary for teachers who prioritize teaching in high needs areas and rural district campuses. The state hopes to recruit, retain, and reward exceptional teachers through TIA.

For each classroom teacher with a teacher designation under TEC Section 21.3521 employed by a school district, the school district is entitled to an allotment equal to the following applicable base amount increased by the high needs and rural factor as determined below: 

(1)   $12,000, or an increased amount not to exceed $32,000, for each Master Teacher;

(2)   $6,000, or an increased amount not to exceed $18,000, for each Exemplary Teacher; and

(3)   $3,000, or an increased amount not to exceed $9,000, for each Recognized Teacher.

The high needs and rural factors are determined by multiplying a point value (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0), assigned to 

each student at a district campus, from least to most severe economic disadvantage according to the census block in which the student resides, for a student from whom the district receives a compensatory education allotment under TEC 48.104(b). If the campus at which a student is enrolled is classified as a rural campus, a student is assigned the point value two tiers higher than the student’s point value. In each year the Commissioner of Education will provide the public with a list of campuses with projected allotment amounts per teacher designation at each campus.

The state has indicated that the purpose of this initiative is to provide TIA Designations, and therefore increased compensation, to approximately the top 33% of teachers across the state of Texas.

There are two pathways for teachers to be Designated under the Teacher Incentive Allotment: (1) through a district’s local optional teacher designation system; and (2) through National Board Certification. A teacher with National Board Certification will automatically receive a Designation of Recognized by the state. Teachers in eligible teaching assignments of a district’s local optional teacher designation system have the opportunity to obtain a Designation of Recognized, Exemplary, or Master.

Spending Plan

• Distribution of Teacher Incentive Allotment funds will comply with state law and Texas Education Agency guidance (TEC Section 48.114(i)(1)(A)).
• Funding for teachers designated as Recognized, Exemplary, and Master under TIA will flow to districts, which in turn must spend at least 90% of the funds on teacher compensation on the campuses where the designated teachers work. Statute states that allotment funds are not considered a property right.
• A designated teacher will receive 90% of the allotment generated by their designation which will be paid as a stipend in addition to the current salary schedule.
• The district will provide teachers with a one-time payout in August after winter class roster submission.
• In the event a designated teacher leaves before the Class Roster Winter Submission, neither the campus nor the designated teacher will receive TIA funds.
  
• In the event a designated teacher is hired by the district prior to Class Roster Winter Submission, both the campus and designated teacher will receive the TIA funds generated by that designated teacher.
• If a teacher leaves after Class Roster Winter Submission and would have generated an allotment the district would split evenly that allotment between all the remaining non-designated TIA teachers on that campus presently employed.
• Allotment stipends are TRS eligible.
• Fund distribution methods will be communicated to staff at summer in-service and on the district website.
• In compliance with state law and Texas Education Agency guidelines, Frankston ISD will retain 10 percent of allotment funds received from the state to support the local TIA program, including funds to provide for teacher training and additional teacher observations.