Financial incentive from state of Texas serves as tool to increase teacher retention
Educator recruitment and retention has become a growing challenge for districts across the country; Texas alone is facing almost 2,000 teacher vacancies. We know this is a challenge that trickles down and impacts student outcomes as highly skilled educators drive student success. So, how can schools recruit and retain high-performing teachers in the classroom, where they are most needed? Texas’ Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) can offer a solution.
Established through the Texas school funding bill (House Bill 3), TIA allows school districts to identify and designate outstanding teachers and provide them with financial incentives based on student academic performance and growth. In short, teachers who receive one of the three TIA designations (Recognized, Exemplary, and Master) can receive anywhere between $3000 to $32,000 in additional annual compensation for five years– and at no cost to local schools or school districts!
This year, we are thrilled to announce that in partnership with the El Paso Community Foundation, CREEED has helped Anthony, Canutillo, Fabens, San Elizario, and Tornillo ISDs collectively secure $1,674,000 in state funding via TIA for the 2023-2024 school year! The first installment of these funds was received by teachers in August 2024.
The process for receiving TIA funds begins at the school district level and then involves developing a baseline against which student improvement and success can be measured. Myla Dayrit, a 4th grade teacher at Jose Damian Elementary School in Canutillo ISD received TIA designation in the 2022-2023 school year. She said that while the process took time, she was grateful for all the opportunities provided within TIA, not just the financial incentive. Because TIA measures individual teachers’ progress, she was able to get a detailed look at how her strategies and lesson plans were impacting her students.
“I am able to see percentage growth and improvement and can adjust my strategies to best fit the needs of my students,” Dayrit said.
Dayrit also appreciates that a teacher’s community involvement impacts their TIA designation in Canutillo. “You have to be involved in the community and with the parents. Being a teacher does not end at the four walls of the classroom.”
Dayrit has seen TIA inspire high-performing teachers to stay in classrooms instead of leaving the profession or accepting a position in administration. Educators also seek additional professional development so they can achieve a TIA designation and the valuable compensation that comes with it. All-in-all, TIA both recognizes and rewards excellent teachers and helps create excellent teachers by motivating them to receive the training and achieve the improvement needed to gain a TIA designation.
CREEED and El Paso Community Foundation, along with a host of vital partners, have long been focused on improving teacher retention. The Miner Teacher Residency connects aspiring teachers with current educators and prepares them for the day-to-day activities of teaching. The Miner Teacher Mentorship program connects teachers who are early in their careers with a seasoned educator-mentor who provides inspiration, motivation, and critical support. And now, by providing technical assistance for districts and teachers to navigate TIA, we are proud to assist with inspiring high-performing teachers at all stages of their careers to remain in the teaching profession.