R9 TIA News & Notes - May 2026

Dear TIA Leads,

As the school year comes to a close, we want to congratulate you on nearing the finish line of another impactful school year. In this newsletter, you’ll find key updates and reminders to support your transition into summer and prepare for what’s next, including:

✅TIA Application Information

The TIA application submission window is now officially closed, and applications are currently under review. Districts can expect to receive communication regarding their application status by May 29. Districts whose applications are not accepted will have the opportunity to review feedback, make updates, and resubmit by June 30.

✅Allotment Information (Districts Employing Designated Teachers)

2025-26 allotments are now available in SCOMS. Districts must confirm or dispute allotments by May 5 (initial deadline). Use the webinar below that matches your district TIA status:

• If your district is an approved district that has awarded designations, review the webinar and resources for fully approved and provisionally approved districts

• If your district has not yet designated teachers but employs a designated teacher, review the webinar and resources for districts not yet fully or provisionally approved.

Here are some general reminders:

• If a district has a detailed question at the teacher level, TEA recommends they reach out directly. (tia@tea.texas.gov)

• Allotment visibility in SCOMS is periodically restricted outside of business hours as TEA processes district disputes and updates allotments.

• Districts only receiving fee reimbursement (did not pass data validation) are not required to confirm in SCOMS.

✅Funding Map Information

• TIA Funding Map has been updated. The TIA funding map shows the allotment values for each district and campus. Allotment values are updated annually in April based on the current school year student demographics and the campus’ rural status. Forecasted campus allotment values for the 2026-2027 school year will be available in late summer 2026.

✅Teacher Communication During Staffing Season (from TEA)

As teachers make important decisions about their position and role for 2026–27, ensure they receive accurate and timely information. Proactive communication now helps teachers plan with confidence and prevents misunderstandings later in the year. All district staff who play a role in staffing decisions, including human resources and campus administrators, should be aware of the district’s local designation system policies and spending plan.

• Teachers and new applicants with active designations: Share the district spending plan, including payout timelines, amounts, deductions, and any local eligibility requirements to receive TIA-related payments.

• Teachers considering retirement, moving to a non-teaching position, or leaving the district: Ensure they understand that they cannot be submitted for a new or higher designation in the fall. If they are already designated, clearly communicate whether the district spending plan will allow them to receive funds for 2025–26.

• Teachers moving assignments or campuses within the district: If the district system does not include all eligible teaching assignments or campuses, ensure the teacher understands if and how an assignment move would impact their eligibility to earn a new or higher designation. Provide this information in writing and include a clear point of contact for follow-up questions.

• Some leads have asked for examples of communication templates. TEA has examples

✅TEA Rules Updates

Updated rules in 19 TAC Chapter 150 are now effective. This includes updates to statewide performance standards for Acknowledged designations, removal of the minimum proficiency requirement, and a same-level early redesignation pathway for teachers in their final year of designation.

Please review guidance on TIA same-level early redesignation.

Our team has put together a TIA Teacher Redesignation Tracker that can be utilized to track your teacher designations. You can find a copy in your district’s R9 TIA Folder. Now that you have allotment information in SCOMS, you can add the information in the tracker.

Thank you for your extraordinary efforts this year—not only in leading TIA with care and commitment, but in balancing so many responsibilities that make a lasting difference for your schools and communities. Your efforts are leading to a brighter future!

This will be the last newsletter until August, but you can reach out to us any time with questions! In the meantime, check out the calendar below to see Region 9 offerings OR find an open date for Region 9 team members to help you look through data!

Sincerely,

Your R9 TIA Team

Click on any of the images of the calendar below to open up the full document.

Our Region 9 TIA team is actively working to update recruitment flyers, district one-pagers, and is happy to assist with creating a TIA Website and/or a TIA Handbook for your district. Please reach out to kendra.bennett@esc9.net to discuss this in more detail.

We would appreciate it if someone from your district could please complete the “Recruitment and Retention Survey” Form. This survey will help us know if you would be interested in having recruitment and retention information included as part of your TIA District Website and will assist us with fulfilling TEA requirements. You can click on the link provided, or just fill it out right now...it is embedded below for your convenience!

Join DMAC for a zoom session on June 24, 2026 from 9:30-10:30 am. This session will be focusing on Student Growth for Data Submission using DMAC. You will learn how to pull reports for Data Capture and prepare for Data Submission.

Click here to register

Other offerings are taking place this summer as well. Check out the fliers below for more information.

The Region 9 Summer Professional Development List is live! TIA Sessions are available and you can register now by clicking on the image below! IMPORTANT NOTE: Sessions are divided by audience - teacher-centered courses are first, followed by lead/admin sessions.

💻TEA offers high quality zoom trainings throughout the school year. There are often testimonials from district personnel, and you can get your questions answered straight from the source! Click the image below to register.

T-TESS and AEL summer trainings:

• AEL - June 16-18 (must attend all 3 days) - Session 807313
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - June 26 AM Session 812058
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - July 20 PM Session 812084
• T-TESS for New Administrators - July 7-9 (must attend all 3 days) Session 805048
• T-TESS Calibration for TIA Success - July 23 PM Session 807137

☝🏻FIRST YEAR COLLECTING DATA Districts

Please refer to the EOY/Summer Action Steps for 1st Year Data Capture Districts for important steps to close out this year and prepare for next year. Ensuring that you have the required number of T-TESS walkthroughs and formal observations and end of year tests completed as listed in your TIA District Plan is crucial.

As you have end of year meetings with teachers, it is very important to remind them that no decisions have been made about designations because not all of the data will have been gathered and analyzed yet.

As you are starting budget planning for next year, there are some considerations for TIA. TIA is one part of the Foundation School Program and is a Tier 1 Allotment. The first year that districts receive allotment funds varies from subsequent years. This is due to the allotment arriving as one funding stream during the FSP Settle-Up process in September in the first year. Because districts must issue pay outs to teachers by August 31, they must pre-pay the allotment funds.

• Resource: TIA Spending Plan Guidance for District Receiving Funding for the First Time

• Start with your funding map (updated as of April 2026) to help you estimate the allotments, then use the Payout Calculator to estimate the total cost. If you need assistance, please email Kendra.Bennett@esc9.net.

T-TESS and AEL summer trainings:

• AEL - June 16-18 (must attend all 3 days) - Session 807313
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - June 26 AM Session 812058
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - July 20 PM Session 812084
• T-TESS for New Administrators - July 7-9 (must attend all 3 days) Session 805048
• T-TESS Calibration for TIA Success - July 23 PM Session 807137

✌🏻 FIRST YEAR SUBMITTING DATA Districts

• AEL - June 16-18 (must attend all 3 days) - Session 807313
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - June 26 AM Session 812058
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - July 20 PM Session 812084
• T-TESS for New Administrators - July 7-9 (must attend all 3 days) Session 805048
• T-TESS Calibration for TIA Success - July 23 PM Session 807137

Continue to learn and grow! Below, you will find the "Application Accepted Districts Year at a Glance" to help organize important dates, office hours, work sessions, and trainings. Feel free to click on the icon pertaining to your TIA phase: First Year Collecting Data, or First Year Submitting Data. You can register for trainings directly from the document.

• AEL - June 16-18 (must attend all 3 days) - Session 807313
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - June 26 AM Session 812058
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - July 20 PM Session 812084
• T-TESS for New Administrators - July 7-9 (must attend all 3 days) Session 805048
• T-TESS Calibration for TIA Success - July 23 PM Session 807137

Keep learning and growing! Below, you will find the "Fully Approved Districts Year at a Glance" to help organize important dates, office hours, work sessions, and trainings. Feel free to click on the picture to enhance your view and interact with registration links.

• AEL - June 16-18 (must attend all 3 days) - Session 807313
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - June 26 AM Session 812058
• T-TESS Orientation for New Teachers - July 20 PM Session 812084
• T-TESS for New Administrators - July 7-9 (must attend all 3 days) Session 805048
• T-TESS Calibration for TIA Success - July 23 PM Session 807137

Click any image below to access the resource!