“This opportunity enables us to compensate our highest performing teachers in a way that prioritizes their importance in our community and allows our district to continue to grow and thrive”

- Dr. Maria Casas, Superintendent of Brooks County ISD

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) was created by the Texas Legislature as part of House Bill 3 to provide a pathway for top teachers to earn six-figure salaries and to help attract and retain highly effective teachers, particularly in rural or low-income areas.

“TIA would significantly boost teacher recruitment efforts and level the playing field for these rural districts”

-Conrad Cantu, Superintendent of Freer ISD

In 2020, the Rural Schools Innovation Zone (RSIZ) chose to pursue TIA in an effort to create opportunities for its high performing teachers to earn increased compensation, expand recruitment efforts, as well as retain the most effective teachers within the Zone. The RSIZ collaborated with each district within the Zone to create a local designation system. The process involved the formation of a local design committee within each district made up of campus administrators, school leaders, and teachers, who created a designation system that fit the needs and priorities of each district.

Through this strong collaboration, each of the three founding districts within the Zone are approved to award designations through TIA. Benavides ISD created a plan in 2021 and has been approved to award designations as well.

“The TIA gives us an opportunity to be a mecca for high-quality teachers. It separates us from other districts.” 

- Steve Van Matre, Superintendent of Tuloso-Midway ISD (Former Superintendent of Premont ISD)