Skip to main content
Center for Effective Schools » Teacher Incentive Allotment

Teacher Incentive Allotment

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is designed to help school districts recruit, retain, and reward highly effective teachers. Districts can recognize outstanding teachers by awarding them one of three designations: Recognized, Exemplary, or Master.

With a TEA-approved local designation system in place, districts can identify top-performing teachers based on student growth and teacher performance. These designations then generate additional funding that can be used to reward high-impact teachers, support retention efforts, and help recruit more talented educators. Schools in rural or high-need areas may receive higher funding amounts.


Region 7 provides ongoing guidance and support to districts as they work to successfully develop and submit their TIA plans to TEA:

  • Stakeholder Engagement (Leadership, Appraisers, School Board, Teachers)
  • Application Support (New Application, Expansions/Modifications, Renewal, and District Websites)
  • Developing a Local Designation System 
  • Data Capture
  • Data Submission
  • Spending Plans
  • TTESS Training/Refresher (in connection with TIA)
  • T-TESS Calibration 
  • Student Growth Measures: Pre-Test/Post-Test, Portfolios, Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)
  • Communication Resources
  • Region 7 National Board Certification Cohort 
 
 
TIA 2026-2027 Support Workshops

TTESS Administrator Calibration Sessions
Participants will engage in meaningful reflection and discussion to enhance their understanding of T-TESS and ensure consistent application of performance standards across campuses and districts. Through targeted calibration activities, teams will work to tighten scoring accuracy and alignment, a key requirement for TIA approval and sustainability. Beyond calibration, this session provides a space to reflect on the broader impact of current T-TESS implementation on leaders, teachers, students, and campus culture.
 
6/15/2026 AM Session
6/15/2026 PM Session
 
7/14/2026 AM Session
7/14/2026 PM Session
Workshop: 367795 - T-TESS Calibration Training Afternoon Session for TIA Districts

 

TIA Data Submission for First Submission and Beyond

5/21/2026
Ensure a successful close to the school year by completing post-test data entry, beginning student growth calculations, and confirming all observation data is finalized. This session also provides a checklist for what’s required in the upcoming submission and helps districts assess readiness.
 
6/17/2026
This session supports districts using STAAR growth measures by walking through how to interpret and incorporate those into their submissions. Participants will continue analyzing both growth and observation data using the analysis tool and clarify outstanding needs before the October submission.
 
8/25/2026
This workshop is for district TIA (Teacher Incentive Allotment) teams who submitted and received an approved application and are entering the data capture year.  You will be guided by the TIA Team on understanding your application and applying those parameters to collect valid and reliable data as you prepare for data submission and validation. The afternoon is allotted for team planning.

8/27/2026
As the October 2026 submission deadline approaches, this final session will focus on ensuring districts are ready to submit. Participants will also reflect on data issues or skew from the previous year and begin preparing systems and processes for the new data capture year.
 
In the next two workshops, a guided review of how to analyze Value-Added Measure (VAM) data will be provided, followed by an overview of the TIA data submission spreadsheet and how to use the TIA analysis tool to review and interpret district data. The remainder of the day is dedicated to work time for districts to complete their TIA data submissions.  Participants will have access to TIA team members throughout the day to answer questions, provide guidance, troubleshoot issues, and support districts as they analyze VAM data and finalize their TIA data submission.
9/24/2026
10/6/2026
 
10/22/2026
This session will focus on finalizing and organizing pre-test data, confirming growth targets, and ensuring observation practices are consistent and effective. We'll guide participants through reviewing their district’s data management system settings to ensure that they align with best practices and TIA requirements.
 
2/17/2027
At the mid-year mark, districts will examine student growth and observation data using the TIA data analysis tool. Participants will learn how to identify correlations, recognize skew in observation scoring, and ensure that post-test dates are scheduled appropriately. This session supports districts in maintaining consistency and accuracy in the second half of the year.
 
5/11/2027
Ensure a successful close to the school year by completing post-test data entry, beginning student growth calculations, and confirming all observation data is finalized. This session also provides a checklist of requirements for the upcoming submission and helps districts assess their readiness. The afternoon portion of this workshop will provide dedicated work time for participants to focus on their TIA data submission spreadsheet, work on student growth measures, or review observation reports. TIA specialists will be available throughout this time to provide individualized support and answer questions.
 
6/7/2027
This workshop is for district TIA (Teacher Incentive Allotment) teams who submitted and received an approved application and are entering the data capture year.  You will be guided by the TIA Team on understanding your application and applying those parameters to collect valid and reliable data as you prepare for data submission and validation. The afternoon is allotted for team planning.
 
6/17/2027
Participants will continue analyzing both growth and observation data using the analysis tool and clarify any outstanding needs before the October submission. This session will also support districts using STAAR growth measures by walking through how to interpret and incorporate those into their submissions. The afternoon portion of this session will provide dedicated work time for participants to focus on their TIA data submission, work on student growth calculations, and analyze their data using the analysis tool. TIA specialists will be available throughout this time to provide individualized support and answer questions.
 

Designing a Strong TIA System – From Planning to Implementation

9/16/2026
Participants will explore the rationale for pursuing Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) and learn how to engage key stakeholders early in the process to build understanding and buy-in. Attendees will receive a customizable TIA toolkit to help guide the design of their district’s system and a ready-to-use presentation template for sharing with school boards or leadership teams.
 
10/29/2026
This session dives into the technical components of a TIA system, including best practices for teacher observation systems and an in-depth look at student growth models (including district-created, 3rd-party, and STAAR-based options). Participants will also learn how to determine cut points for designations, using TEA guidance to ensure alignment with state expectations.
 
12/2/2026
In this session, participants will bring together all the components of their district's TIA plan. The focus will be on finalizing spending plans and outlining long-term district support structures for observation calibration, student growth measure implementation, and annual system maintenance. The afternoon is optional and is available for district TIA teams to work on their TIA plan and ask questions of the ESC TIA team as needed.
 
Designing a Strong TIA System Spring 2027
In this portion of the Application Series, join Region 7 for a series of monthly TIA Team Meetings in January, February, and March in anticipation of the April 2027 application for Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). Each session will begin with guidance from Region 7 TIA specialists and DMAC team members, who will walk participants through the key components of the application, ensuring they have the necessary tools, insights, and clarity for success. In the afternoon, district TIA teams will have the opportunity to complete the various tabs of the TIA Application within the TIA Online Portal. These work sessions offer districts the opportunity to make tangible progress, exchange ideas, ask questions, and check off critical items on the application's to-do list. To get the most out of each session, we encourage LEAs to bring their full core TIA team.
 
1/14/2027
 
2/11/2027
 
3/24/2027
 
Renewal Application Support
3/3/2027
Let us support you with your renewal application.  TIA offers five-year system approvals for local designation systems. Districts must submit a renewal application during year five. This will ensure continuity with the data submission and allow districts to continually designate teachers. This workshop will support the renewal process.  We will support you with (1) meeting current statutory requirements, (2) holistically reviewing the existing system to identify strengths and areas for continuous improvement, and (3) expanding or modifying your local designation system to include additional eligible teaching assignments. Districts that do not submit a renewal application on their required renewal timeline will have an expired TIA system and will no longer be able to designate teachers.
 
Expansion/Modification Application Support Sessions
Coming soon...
District Showcase videos coming soon...
 
Ore City ISD 
 
Slocum ISD