TIA (Teacher Incentive Allotment)

What is TIA?

The Teacher Incentive Allotment is a state program that rewards highly effective teachers and helps districts recruit, retain, and support great teaching, especially in high-needs and rural schools. The Texas Legislature created TIA in 2019 (HB 3), and it is administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

How teacher designations work

Teachers can earn one of four statewide designations – Acknowledged, Recognized, Exemplary, or Master  – through a district’s approved local designation system or, in certain circumstances, through National Board Certification. Designations are based on a combination of teacher observation and student growth measures established through the District’s approved local designation system. District-issued designations are valid for five full school years.

Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, the new Acknowledged designation was added to the TIA system. TEA has established statewide performance standards that serve as guidelines for districts when determining designation criteria.

Funding basics

Each designated teacher generates additional state funding for the District. The amount varies based on the teacher’s designation level and the socioeconomic and rural characteristics of the campus where the teacher works. Beginning in 2026–27, TIA allotments increased under changes made by House Bill 2. Districts are notified of annual allotments in April, and funds must be expended by August 31. At least 90% of TIA funds must be used for teacher compensation at the campus where the designated teacher works; up to 10% may be used to support the District’s TIA system or help teachers pursue designation.

New Home ISD: Year 2 – Data Capture

We are now in Year 2 of TIA implementation – our data capture year. This is an important step in the process. During the data capture year, we are:

• Collecting the teacher observation and student growth data required by our approved local designation system.
• Continuing to implement and calibrate our local designation system to ensure consistency and reliability.
• Providing ongoing communication and support to teachers throughout the process.
• Continuing the work of our stakeholder committee and gathering feedback as we move through implementation.
• Preparing the data that will ultimately be submitted to TEA for review as part of the designation process.

TEA defines the data capture year as the first school year in which a district collects teacher effectiveness data in accordance with its local designation plan. That data is subsequently reviewed as part of the District’s approval and designation process.

What families and staff can expect

• TIA does not change curriculum, grading, or student schedules.
• It is designed to recognize and reward highly effective teaching and strengthen our ability to recruit and retain excellent teachers.
• The process is based on multiple measures of teacher effectiveness, including observation and student growth, rather than a single measure.
• Teachers will receive information throughout the process regarding timelines, expectations, and next steps.
• Designations will not be finalized simply because data is collected; the District's data must go through the required TEA review and approval process.

Our commitment

New Home ISD will implement TIA with clarity, fairness, and transparency. Our goal is to develop a system that recognizes the exceptional work of our teachers while supporting our ability to recruit, retain, and reward excellent educators.