R9 TIA Teacher Tidbits

Welcome to the TIA 101 Special Edition – your clear and practical guide to the Teacher Incentive Allotment.

You’ve likely heard about TIA and may be wondering what it means for you, your classroom, and your career. This special edition is here to break it down in a way that’s easy to understand—covering how TIA works, what the designation process looks like, and how it can impact compensation. Whether you're just starting to learn about TIA or ready to take the next step, this guide will help you feel informed, confident, and ready to engage.

Questions? Email chelsea.howells@esc9.net

Effective beginning in the 2026-2027 school year:

• Creates new "acknowledged” designation within TIA to expand to four total designations
• Increases TIA allotment payouts, with top teachers generating up to $36,000
• Creates a review process to ensure alignment with National Board Certification as a part of the Teacher Incentive Allotment.

*Please note: this list includes only a portion of the legislative changes included in HB2.

Further information on legislation and implications for TIA will be included in the sections below.

This 3 minute video is a great introduction to Teacher Incentive Allotment!

Please note: TEA has not released a new video to address the changes from HB2. This video is based on the 2025-2026 designation levels and allotment amounts.

Districts receive an annual allotment for each eligible designated teacher they employ. Allotments are based on the teacher’s designation level and campus of employment, with greater funding for high-needs and rural campuses.

For the 2025-2026 school year, there will be 3 designation levels:

Recognized (top 33% of teachers statewide)

Exemplary (top 20% of teachers statewide)

Master (top 5% of teachers statewide)

You can explore the TIA Funding Map to see the 2024-2025 allotment amounts at the district and campus level. Allotment values are updated annually in April based on the current school year student demographics and the campus’ rural status.

Legislative Update: According to HB2, a fourth designation level, called Acknowledged, will be added for the 2026-2027 school year. It is estimated that the top 50% of teachers across the state will earn this designation or higher.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the allotment amounts will increase. Please see below for estimates of the new ranges.

Acknowledged: $3000-$9000

Recognized: $5000-15000

Exemplary: $9000-$25000

Master: $12000-$36000

If your district is listed in the 2025 Region 9 TIA District Designations chart (see below under Is my District Participating in TIA?), you need to determine if you are teaching a subject that is in an eligible category. Ask your campus principal if you are unsure!

If you are in an eligible teaching category, you must also meet the following criteria:

If you meet all of the criteria above and you are teaching in an eligible category for next year, your district will track at least two components throughout the year to determine whether you will earn a designation:

• Teacher Observation Component
• Student Growth Component

Districts must use one approved appraisal rubric and implement observation protocols to ensure valid and reliable data. This data must be based on one or more observations of a teacher instructing students for a minimum of 45 minutes or multiple observations that aggregate to at least 45 minutes. All teachers in eligible teaching assignments must receive a complete observation and full appraisal during the Data Capture Year. Teachers with incomplete observation data or without a summative appraisal are not eligible to earn a designation.

For most districts, T-TESS is the appraisal rubric used. Check out https://teachfortexas.org/ to learn more about T-TESS!

For eligible teaching assignments, districts must use a valid and reliable student growth measure and implement protocols for secure administration and scoring. Unlike previous incentive programs based on achievement data, TIA requires districts to identify effective teachers using student growth data.

Rather than using the magnitude of growth, effectiveness is measured by the impact teachers have on all students by setting growth at the individualized student level. This method allows more equitable access to a designation for effective teachers, regardless of their student population.

If you aren't sure which method your district is using to measure student growth for your teaching category, ask your campus principal!

Once you have learned which type of student growth measure you'll be using, you can learn more on the Student Growth page of the TIA website!

Legislative Update: TEA anticipates being able to share preliminary performance standard information in the fall. Currently, it is anticipated that the new Acknowledged designation will aligned with the top 50% of teachers statewide.

Please note: the Statewide Performance Standards are guidelines, and your district has full control over what the designation criteria and cut points will be within your district!

Use these numbers as a starting point, not your final goal.

If you are not currently eligible to earn a designation through TIA, you can ask your campus principal if there is a plan to phase in your teaching assignment in a future year.

You can also begin the National Board Certification process- any teacher in the state of Texas can generate a Recognized* level allotment by earning their National Board Certification.

*Legislative Update: In 2026-27, NBCT teachers will move from being designated as recognized to “National Board Certified” designation per HB2.

Disclaimer: HB2 set out a requirement that could remove National Board Certification as a pathway for designation. The SBEC has been charged with reviewing the NBCT standards to ensure they align with Texas standards. The SBEC must approve NBC by December 31, 2026 or it will be removed as a TIA pathway.

🔔TEA has created designations to highlight which phase of the TIA process each school district is currently in.

Districts are given one of four labels. These labels include:

• Developing/Applying Districts- This is for a district developing their local designation system and applying to TEA for the first time.

• Application Accepted Districts- These are districts who had their initial application or an expand/modify application accepted, but have never had their data approved (received allotments).

• Fully or Provisionally Approved Districts- These are districts that have had their data approved by TEA and have received allotments for their teachers.

• Renewal Districts- Every 5 years, districts have to renew their application to TEA to remain a TIA district.

These titles can change year over year. For example, if a district has never received an allotment, but they turn in their data and it gets approved, then the district moves from Application Accepted to Fully Approved.

We’re here to ensure you stay informed about your district's progress. Below, you'll find a table that outlines your district's current designation within TIA.

Click any image below to access the resource!