Ongoing Designation Submissions Processing New and Higher Teacher Designations
Fully approved districts may submit new or higher designations annually. However, they must continue to provide evidence that the designation system continues to be valid and reliable through annual data submission and validation.
TEA continues to review data validation results and approves the district to issue new or higher designations annually. If data validation indicates the system is no longer valid and reliable, new designations are not processed, and the district may submit data again the following year.
Teacher Communication Templates
Teacher Celebratory Materials
Requirements Designation Policies
Designations issued through a local designation system are valid for five school years. Once the designation expires, the teacher may be issued a new designation if they continue to work in a district with an approved designation system and meet the district’s performance criteria.
Teachers may only have one active designation at a time. Designated teachers working in a district with a local designation system may be put forth for a higher designation within the five-year window if they meet the district’s performance criteria. In these cases, the higher designation replaces the lower designation, and the five-year clock restarts. Teachers may not be put forth by a district for a lower designation. Teachers in their final year of designation may be submitted for an early, same-level redesignation if their prior year performance meets the district criteria.
Designations for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) expire in the summer following expiration of the National Board certificate. If an NBCT renews or maintains their certificate, TEA adjusts the designation expiry date accordingly.
Awarding Designations FAQsAwarding Designations FAQs
Will districts have to submit data every year?
Districts submit data for all teachers in eligible teaching assignments each year that they put forth new teachers for designation. Districts should notify TEA at tia@tea.texas.gov if they do not plan to submit data that year.
What if a designated teacher moves to a non-teaching role, such as instructional coach, counselor, or administrator?
Designated teachers who move to a StaffClassification (formerly Role ID) other than 087 will maintain their designation. However, they will not generate annual allotment funding if they are not in a 087 teaching role. Teachers who move to a non-teaching position prior to formally earning a designation relinquish eligibility.
Are designations attached to a particular grade level or subject area?
Unlike certificates, designations are general. The designation is placed on the teacher’s SBEC certificate and does not specify a certification area, subject, or grade level. A teacher may change teaching assignments and will still generate allotment funding. The same applies to National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs).
What happens after the five-year designation expires?
If a teacher does not re-qualify for a new or higher designation before the current designation expires, it will be removed from the SBEC certificate (if applicable) and allotment funding will no longer be generated.
Can students be assigned to a teacher pending designation and meet accelerated instruction requirements under HB 1416?
No. TEC, Sec. 28.0211 requires assignment of the applicable student to a TIA designated teacher or to a program of supplemental instruction. If a teacher is not yet designated at the time of the student’s assignment, then supplemental instruction is needed.