Teacher Incentive Allotment

Welcome & Strategic Alignment

The Katy ISD contact for TIA or NBCT questions is Mr.  Kyle Allen-Sanchez, Coordinator. He can be reached at 281.396.7433 or at tiasupport@katyisd.org.

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) was established by HB 3 in an effort to reward, retain, and recruit highly effective teachers. Part of the Teacher Incentive Allotment allows for Nationally Board-Certified teachers to automatically earn a minimum annual allotment of $3,000. For more information about the Teacher Incentive Allotment, please visit: https://tiatexas.org/ 

Click the following link to view instructions on how to get reimbursed through the Katy ISD TIA program: Employee Self Service Reimbursement Instructions

TEA TIA Handbook

Katy ISD TIA Handbook 2025-2026

The "Why": Honoring the Uniqueness of Every Learner

Katy ISD believes that "all learners are unique." For students to thrive in a way that respects their individual strengths and needs, they must have access to effective, well-supported educators.

· Teacher Support as Student Support: TIA is not just a compensation model; it is a support system. By identifying what "excellence" looks like in different subjects—from Algebra to Fine Arts—the district can better support teachers with the specific resources they need to reach every unique learner.

· Equity in Excellence: This system recognizes that an effective teacher's impact is the most significant factor in student success. TIA allows the district to prioritize putting its strongest educators in front of the students who need them most.

Mission Alignment: Driving "Unparalleled Learning Experiences"

Katy ISD’s mission is to provide "unparalleled learning experiences" through "personalized learning." TIA acts as the engine for this mission in two ways:

· Elevating the Standard: By rewarding teachers who go above and beyond, the district creates a culture where "unparalleled" is the standard, not the exception.

· Data-Driven Personalization: The student growth component of TIA requires teachers to set individual goals for every student. This process directly mirrors the district’s commitment to "personalized learning," ensuring that no student is a "number" and every student has a tailored path for growth.

Core Beliefs: A "Holistic System" of Excellence

In Katy ISD, we believe that success is too complex to be measured by a "single, standardized assessment." Our TIA plan is built as a "holistic system" that values the full scope of a teacher's impact.

· Multiple Measures: We balance classroom observations (T-TESS) with student growth data to ensure a fair, 360-degree view of performance.

· Long-Term Impact: TIA designations are valid for five (5) years, signaling that the district rewards sustained excellence and professional consistency rather than "teaching to a test" for one year.

· Authentic Assessment (Coming Soon): For performance-based courses, we use tools like skills-based rubrics and portfolios to capture growth that traditional tests might miss.

Program Purpose: Recruit, Retain, and Reward

The ultimate goal of TIA in Katy ISD is to build a sustainable ecosystem for the teaching profession through three pillars:

1. Recruit: Position Katy ISD as a premier destination for top-tier talent by offering clear pathways to six-figure salary opportunities.

2. Retain: Provide our highest-performing educators with a financial and professional reason to stay in the classroom, where their impact on students is greatest.

3. Reward: Publicly and financially acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and measurable student success that our "Master," "Exemplary," "Recognized," and “Acknowledged” teachers achieve every day.

Key Benefits for Katy ISD Teachers

Direct Pathway to Significant Compensation: Through our local designation system, teachers in eligible assignments can earn one of four designations—Master, Exemplary, Recognized, or Acknowledged—based on their T-TESS observations and student growth.

Substantial Annual Allotments: Designations generate significant yearly funding that directly rewards your classroom impact:

• Master: $12,000 – $36,000 per year.
• Exemplary: $9,000 – $25,000 per year.
• Recognized: $5,000 – $15,000 per year.
• Acknowledged: $3,000 – $9,000 per year.

Long-Term Financial Stability: Once earned, your designation is valid for five years. During this time, the designation cannot be revoked or lowered by the district, providing reliable, multi-year supplemental income.

Opportunity for Advancement: You are never "stuck" at one level; if your performance qualifies you for a higher designation during your five-year term, you can move up, which restarts your five-year clock.

Flexible and Portable Recognition: TIA designations are general and stay with you even if you change your teaching assignment, grade level, or subject. You can even move to another Texas district and maintain your designation and its associated funding.

Holistic Recognition: Our local system moves beyond a "single test" by valuing a combination of instructional excellence (T-TESS) and individual student progress, ensuring a fair and 360-degree view of your professional success.

Maximized Take-Home Pay: Katy ISD is committed to teacher success, ensuring that 90% of the allotment goes directly to teacher compensation at the campus where the designation was earned.