Texas awards over $481 million in merit pay to designated teachers

Mike Morath Commissioner of Education | Texas Education Agency

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that over $481 million in funds have been allocated to more than 42,000 designated teachers in Texas for the 2024-25 school year. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to reward and retain highly effective educators across the state.

"Teachers play a key role in the success of Texas students and our great state," said Governor Abbott. "With this over $481 million in merit pay, Texas is awarding thousands of teachers from every corner of our state with the pay raise they deserve—putting them on a path to earning a six-figure salary. And soon, Texas will invest even more in teachers, providing permanent pay raises for experienced classroom teachers. With empowered parents, exemplary teachers, and exceptional academics, Texas is on a path to be No. 1 in educating our children."

Since its inception in 2019, the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) has distributed over $1 billion to top-performing educators throughout Texas. The program aims to keep skilled teachers within classrooms by offering them a clear route to higher earnings. School systems participating in TIA have reported positive effects on teacher recruitment and retention rates, especially those that have broadened their designation systems to encompass all teaching assignments such as fine arts, special education, and career and technology courses.

A report from the Texas Education Agency highlighted that teachers with TIA designations had retention rates nine percentage points higher than their non-designated counterparts.

School districts involved with TIA assign teacher designations based on data from classroom observations and student academic growth outcomes. Designated educators who continue teaching generate annual funding for compensation purposes. Districts can opt to include all eligible teaching positions initially or gradually expand their designation system.

Historically categorized into Recognized, Exemplary, and Master groups, TIA designations will now feature an additional band called Acknowledged. This new category aims to make more educators eligible for funding allocations while increasing allotment amounts for existing categories.

For further details and access to a comprehensive list of participating districts, visit [website].