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Understanding TIA

Understanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)

Region 14 ESC — Simplified guide for teachers, principals, and district leads.

1) What is the Teacher Incentive Allotment?

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is a statewide program designed to recognize and reward highly effective teachers. Funds are generated based on teacher performance and student growth and are distributed annually to eligible districts.

Goal
Attract & retain highly effective teachers
Goal
Reward teachers for excellence & student impact
Goal
Support equitable access to effective teaching across Texas
How it works: Effective teaching → earns a designation (Acknowledged, Recognized, Exemplary, or Master) → results in increased pay through TIA funding → promotes retention.

2) Designation Levels

Designation Approx. Statewide Percentile Typical Annual Allotment Range*
Acknowledged Top 50% of teachers $3,000 – $9,000
Recognized Top 33% 53,000 – $15,000
Exemplary Top 20% $9,000 – $25,000
Master Top 5% $12,000 – $36,000
*Varies by campus socioeconomic level and rural status per TEA’s funding formula.

3) How Designations Are Earned

  • T-TESS overall rating (Domains 2 & 3)
  • Student growth measure
  • District reliability & validity requirements

Teachers must meet state performance standards below (or locally approved equivalents).

4) State Performance Level Benchmarks

A. T-TESS Performance Levels

Rating Description Typical Domain Average
Distinguished Consistently exceeds expectations 4.5–5.0
Accomplished Frequently exceeds expectations 3.8–4.4
Proficient Meets expectations 3.0–3.7
Developing / Improvement Needed Below expectations Below 3.0

B. State Performance Benchmarks for TIA Designations

Designation Average T-TESS Score Range* % of students who met or exeeded growth targets
Acknowledged 3.5-3.6 50%
Recognized 3.7 – 3.8 55%
Exemplary 3.9 – 4.4 60%
Master 4.5 – 5.0 70%

*Exact cut scores vary by district and must align with approved system calibration. 

*Minimum of 3 on all observable dimensions for Domains 2 and 3.

5) Student Growth Measures

  • STAAR Transition Tables
  • Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)
  • Pre/Post-Test or District Assessments
  • Portfolios or Performance Tasks (for non-tested subjects)

6) Teacher Requirements

Requirement Description
Assignment Serve in a qualifying teaching role / service ID
Performance Valid T-TESS and student growth data
Certification Active Texas certification  (District Determined)
Data Accuracy Confirm roster accuracy before submission
District Participation Be in an approved TIA system district
  • Complete T-TESS evaluations
  • Verify rosters for accuracy
  • Understand local growth measures
  • Maintain certification and role consistency

Example: A 5th-grade Math teacher’s T-TESS average is 4.2 and 82% of students met or exceeded growth → qualifies for the Exemplary level.

7) Principal Responsibilities

Task Description
Implement T-TESS Conduct reliable, calibrated observations
Verify Rosters Confirm teacher–student link accuracy
Support Teachers Provide clarity on growth & data
Campus Review Approve campus-level submissions
Communicate Results Share designations & funding impacts

8) TIA Lead / District Coordinator Role

Area Responsibilities
System Management Maintain TEA-approved local designation system
Data Oversight Collect, validate, and submit TIA data
Calibration Ensure reliability across campuses
Submission Upload data during TEA submission window
Communication Notify staff of results & funding
Continuous Improvement Update system based on TEA feedback
High-Level Timeline
Phase Date Description
System Application Posted November (annual) TEA posts the application for districts to apply.
System Application Due to TEA April 15 (annual) District submits system application.
System Application Results August (annual) TEA notifies districts.
Data-Capture Year Following school year Teachers’ observation & growth data collected.
Data Submission Due Mid-October (after data-capture) District submits data for validation.
Final System Approval February TEA (or its agent) completes review.
Initial Designations & Allotments April Teachers may be designated; initial allotments established.
Annual Program Submission Late August District submits annual program report/certification.
Approved Districts Receive Payout September Funds flow through FSP to district.
Renewal Application Due April (several years later) District applies for renewal.

9) Funding & Allotment Details

  • Allotments are funded annually by TEA and distributed to districts.
  • At least 90% of funds must be used for teacher compensation.
  • Funding is adjusted for campus socioeconomic status and rural status.
  • Acknowledged teacher (urban campus): ≈ $3,000
  • Master teacher (rural, high-poverty campus): ≈ $35,000+

10) Weighting Models & Local Impact Examples

A. Common District Weighting Models
Model T-TESS Weight Student Growth Weight Notes
State-Default Emphasis 50% 50% Balanced, aligns with state benchmarks
Growth-Focused 35% 65% Prioritizes measurable student impact
Instruction-Focused 65% 35% Heavier weight on instructional practice
B. Comparing Two District Weighting Systems
Teacher T-TESS Avg % Meeting Growth District A (50/50) District B (35/65)
Teacher 1 4.4 70% 2.70 2.96
Teacher 2 3.9 90% 2.95 3.19

Interpretation: Under a growth-heavy model, Teacher 2’s high growth can raise the overall score more than under a balanced model.

11) Region 14 ESC Support

Consultation
Technical assistance for districts & campuses
Templates
Data collection & validation tools
Reviews
System design reviews
Training
Workshops for TIA teams
T-TESS CALIBRATION
 

Contact Us

Email tia@esc14.net

Name Role Email Phone
Stephanie Hammer TIA Program Lead shammer@esc14.net (325) 675-7018
Kimberly Brumley TIA Consultant • T-TESS Calibration kbrumley@esc14.net (325) 675-7051
Jaime Tindall TIA Consultant jtindall@esc14.net (325) 675-8644
John Lally TIA Consultant & Data Analyst jlally@esc14.net (325) 675-8667
Michael Cano Principal/Superintendent ACP & TIA Consultant mcano@esc14.net (325) 675-7029

More information: TIA Texas Website • TEA Designated Teacher Search