Fort Hancock Independent School District

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is an additional compensation system established by the Texas Legislature. This means funding comes directly from the State of Texas, not Fort Hancock ISD. TIA is different from other additional compensation systems that previously existed or continue to exist in Fort Hancock ISD that are funded locally by the district, externally by a grant, or through participation in professional learning experiences. Relevant language from the legislation is adapted below, along with how compensation is calculated, the difference between designation levels, and TEA’s established performance standards. 

House Bill 3 (HB 3), passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in June 2019, established a Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) with a stated goal of a six-figure salary for teachers who prioritize teaching in high-need areas and rural district campuses. Texas Education Code (TEC) §48.112 authorizes Fort Hancock ISD to participate in TIA. This allotment offers resources to the district to increase teacher compensation and prioritize funding for high-need and rural district campuses. Fort Hancock ISD certifies that at least 90% of each allotment received through its participation in TIA is used for the compensation of teachers employed at the campus at which the teacher for whom the district receives the allotment is employed. Any other funds received as part of TIA are used for costs associated with implementing the LDS, including efforts to support teachers in obtaining designation and prioritizing high-needs campuses in the district.

TEC §21.3521 authorizes Fort Hancock ISD to establish a Local Optional Teacher Designation System (LDS) as part of TIA. The commissioner shall establish performance and validity standards for each LDS that must provide a mathematical possibility that all teachers eligible for designation may earn the designation. The district may designate a certified classroom teacher as a master, exemplary, or recognized teacher for a five-year period based on the results from single year or multiyear appraisals. For each classroom teacher with a teacher designation, the district is entitled to an allotment determined by a base amount multiplied by a high needs and rural factor (see below). The commissioner will annually make available to the public a list of campuses with the project allotment amounts per teacher designation at each campus.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will periodically conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of all local optional teacher designation systems. By implementing its LDS and receiving funds under TIA, Fort Hancock ISD has agreed to participate in these evaluations. Notwithstanding performance standards, a classroom teacher that holds a National Board Certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards may be designated as recognized.