Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)

Teacher Incentive Allotment
The Teacher Incentive Allotment goal is to provide a realistic pathway to pay outstanding teachers six-figure salaries. In turn, this will help recruit and retain highly effective teachers and provide incentives for teachers to teach at challenging campuses. 

Teacher Eligibility
The teacher must have a valid SBEC certificate. Eligible types of certification include Standard, Professional, and Provisional. Eligible classes of certificates include: Classroom teacher (Chapter 233), Reading Specialist (Chapter 239), Legacy Master Teacher. The teacher must be coded 087 (Teacher) per the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) description of codes for 90 days at 100% of the day (equivalent to four and one-half months or a full semester) or 180 days required at 50-99% of the day and compensated for that employment.

TIA Designations
Teachers may receive one of three ratings based on T-TESS and Student Growth Measures: recognized, exemplary, or master. Once district criteria has been developed, a teacher's T-TESS and Student Growth measures will be evaluated based upon the developed rubric. Texas Tech University will verify the process and the validity of the data. If approved, that teacher will receive one of the three ratings listed above, along with the additional state determined compensation for that campus. Also, the designation will be placed on their teaching certificate. 
A teacher's designation is valid for five years, at which time that teacher will be re-evaluated. Based on performance during the 5-year designation, a teacher can be recommended for a higher designation but not a lower designation. However, if a teacher experiences significant negative changes in performance or employment during this time, compensation can be affected. 

District Designations
The local school district will use teacher observation and student performance for evaluating the overall impact of the teacher evaluation. Additionally, the district may include optional components for the local CFBISD TIA plan. The district has surveyed teachers for input on these additional measurements, and the results can be found at (survey results listed here). 

District Approval 
School districts must submit an application to TEA for approval. CFBISD has been placed for consideration in Cohort D, November 2020 – April 2021. The possible sequence for district approval includes:

• Identifying highly effective teachers using statewide standards.
• TEA & Texas Tech University review applications and evidence and approve district designation systems.
• The district designates teachers. The State places designations on teacher certifications.
• Districts receive state funding to be used primarily for teacher pay. 

Districts must use at least 90% of the TIA funds on teacher compensation on the campuses where they work. 

Teacher Compensation Considerations 

• 90% of funds must be spent on compensation at the campus where the teacher works. 
• If a teacher moves to a new district, the money will follow the teacher to the new district regardless of whether the new district has an approved designation in place. 
• The district will need to consider and shape a local plan for how to use these funds.
• Districts will complete an attestation form verifying how they used funds to ensure compliance with spending requirements. 

Next Steps for CFBISD

• Develop criteria for how funds will be allocated.
• Determine how funds will be allocated for staff (90% must be used for compensation on the campus on which the designated teacher works, and 10% can go to other things at the campus or district level).
• Continue meeting with Task Force to finalize plans.