Discovering the 5 Phases of TIA Support

The Teacher Incentive Allotment, or TIA, was established in 2019 through HB3. TIA aims to provide outstanding teachers with an accessible pathway to a six-figure salary. It is built for Texas school districts to designate and reward top-performing teachers. Through TIA, highly effective teachers are awarded designations and earn allotments for their districts. They can earn one of three levels of designation- Recognized, Exemplary, or Master. Districts receive an annual allotment for each eligible designated teacher they employ. They may use TIA funds to incentivize effective teachers to remain in the classroom and prioritize high-needs campuses. 

At Region 13, our team consists of three dedicated full-time TIA staff members who work with districts to retain and reward their most effective teachers. We offer five support phases as we collaborate with districts interested in implementing or expanding on TIA: Phase 1- Professional Development; Phase 2- Application Submission; Phase 3- Implementation Support for Data Collection; Phase 4- System Expansion or Modification; Phase 5- System Renewal.  

Phase 1 of Support: Professional Development  

Region 13’s team offers professional development tailored to help staff and stakeholders understand TIA and implement a local designation system. Our team collaborates with districts to align TIA with their goals and plans, guiding Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through a smooth rollout. We also address questions, guide implementation, and provide resources to ensure clarity and confidence. Training is available in various formats: in-person at your district or our campuses or virtually via Zoom. Additionally, we provide informational presentations for district leaders to share with their teams.

Phase 2 of Support: Application Submission 

Region 13’s TIA team provides comprehensive support to districts throughout the planning and application process for the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). From developing the application to successful submission, our team ensures districts have the tools and guidance needed for success. We assist with key components, including the Weighting tab, Eligible Teachers and Campuses, Teacher Observation plans, Growth Measures (e.g., SLO, Portfolio, Pre/Post Test, or VAM), Stakeholder Engagement, and Spending Plans.

We serve as thought partners through consultation meetings, offering tailored feedback, sharing best practices from other districts, and providing TEA-aligned resources. Also, we work closely with districts to review drafts, prepare supporting documentation, and finalize submissions, ensuring every step is seamless and aligned with district goals.

Phase 3 of Support: Implementation Support for Data Collection and Submission 

The Region 13 TIA team offers districts hands-on support to ensure their data submission for designations is accurate, error-free, and fully aligned with their local designation system. We begin by assisting districts in setting up appraisal data systems (e.g., DMAC, Eduphoria) and establishing new systems to collect student growth data if necessary. Once systems are in place, we collaborate to develop calibration plans, ensuring consistent and equitable evaluations.

A robust calibration protocol promotes alignment among appraisers across campuses and fosters a shared understanding of effective instruction. This consistency ensures that highly effective teachers are fairly evaluated and have equitable opportunities for designation. Furthermore, by partnering with districts throughout the process, we help strengthen the integrity and impact of their local designation systems.

The Region 13 TIA team offers continuous support during the data capture year to ensure districts meet validation requirements and maintain accurate data systems. Through bi-monthly check-ins, we assist districts in monitoring teacher and student growth data, helping to prevent skew and ensuring systems remain effective.

Data validation, conducted by Texas Tech University, is essential for teachers to receive their earned designations and associated funding. Furthermore, validation assesses the link between teacher observations, student performance, and the fairness and reliability of designation decisions. This process includes alignment with TIA standards, statewide value-added data, and consistency across campuses and teaching categories. By partnering with Region 13, districts can confidently navigate data submission and validation, securing the integrity of their TIA systems.

Phase 4 of Support: System Expansion or Modification 

The Region 13 TIA team supports districts in expanding or modifying their approved TIA Designation Systems. This includes assisting with changes such as adding eligible teaching categories, updating teacher appraisal rubrics, incorporating new student growth measures, or revising spending plans. Our team guides districts through the application process. This includes providing feedback on drafts, reviewing details before submission, and ensuring readiness for the successful implementation of new components.

Throughout this process, we collaborate with districts to determine the most suitable student growth measures and explore best practices for integrating new teaching assignments. We provide expert insights and support to help districts tailor their TIA systems to their goals.

Phase 5 of Support: System Renewal 

Approved TIA Local Designation Systems must be renewed every five years for districts to continue issuing new designations. This streamlined renewal process ensures compliance with statutory requirements while allowing districts to assess their current systems for strengths and opportunities for growth. Districts can also modify or expand their systems during renewal. TEA will notify districts of the renewal timeline and requirements the summer before their Renewal Application Year. Applications are due the following spring. To qualify, districts must pass data validation at least once within the first four years of their system’s implementation.

The Region 13 TIA Team provides personalized support throughout the renewal application process. We assist with application development, review drafts, provide feedback, and guide districts in preparing required documentation for submission. We deliver the sessions in person or via Zoom. As thought partners, we offer consultation meetings to help with decision-making, share best practices from other districts, and provide TEA-aligned resources to meet specific needs.

Why Choose Region 13? 

We provide districts with comprehensive TIA support backed by a commitment to consistency and reliability. Our established systems ensure seamless access to all necessary information and resources, regardless of which team member you work with. If your district needs experienced, high-quality, and individualized assistance with TIA, we are here and ready to help.