Who is TIA for?
Serving Texas Districts & Teachers

TIA is built for Texas school districts to designate and reward top-performing teachers. Teachers can earn one of three levels of designation – Recognized, Exemplary, or Master. Teachers with a National Board certification may be designated as Recognized. 

Districts receive an annual allotment for each eligible designated teacher they employ and may use TIA funds to incentivize effective teachers to remain in the classroom and prioritize high-needs campuses.

Key PointsHow TIA Works

Through TIA, highly effective teachers are awarded with designations and earn allotments for their districts. 

3 Designation Levels: Recognized, Exemplary, Master

$3k-$32k Distributed Annually to Districts per Designated Teacher

Greater Funding at High-Needs and/or Rural Campuses

90% of Funds Go to Teacher Compensation on Designated Teacher’s Campus

5-Year Designation Validity Regardless of Placement

Fundamentals Key Things to Know About TIA

  • Designations

    Designations are distinctions awarded to highly effective teachers through a local designation system or an active National Board certification.

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  • Local Designation Systems

    A local designation system allows districts to identify their top-performing teachers based on student growth, classroom observation, and optional local criteria.

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  • Designated Teachers

    Designated teachers who remain in the classroom generate annual allotment funds for their district based on their level of designation, the socioeconomic needs of their campus, and the campus rural status.

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  • Funding Source

    TIA has sustainable funding built into the Texas school funding formula, the Foundation School Program, and is not a grant like some previous incentive programs. As a Tier 1 foundation entitlement, TIA provides funding to districts through the Foundation School Program.

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  • Allotments

    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.

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  • Technical Assistance

    The TIA team provides training, ensures districts are well-supported throughout the process of developing a local designation system, and is available to answer any of your questions. For general questions, contact the team at tia@tea.texas.gov.

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Implementation Timeline Process for Implementing a Local Designation System

Creating a local designation system takes thoughtful planning and stakeholder engagement. Districts can expect a three year minimum timeline from development to full approval.

Develop a Local Designation System

Districts work with stakeholders to design a local designation system.

Application Year

Districts attend TIA technical assistance sessions as they continue to outline details of their proposed designation system and submit a formal application to TEA.

System Implementation & Data Capture Year

Districts implement their system as outlined in their accepted application and collect teacher performance data.

Data Submission & Validation

Districts identify which teachers qualify for each level of designation using prior year performance data. They submit teacher designations and performance data for all teachers in eligible assignments to Texas Tech University for data validation. TEA conducts a final holistic review of systems for approval.

Designations and Allotments Awarded for Approved Systems

Districts are notified if the system and designations are approved or denied. TEA processes new and higher designations for approved districts and notifies districts of the annual allotment.

Issue New and Higher Designations; Monitor System Implementation

Approved districts may submit new designations and teacher performance data annually.

Districts administer TIA Annual Evaluation Surveys and complete the Annual Program Submission. Fully Approved Districts that plan to continue designating teachers must apply for renewal in the fourth year to ensure continuity of timelines the year prior to their expiration date.