Laredo Independent School District is proud to announce the addition of 36 new or higher teacher designations to its Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, increasing the total number of participating educators from 38 to 63. This initiative, made possible through House Bill 3 in 2019, aims to recognize outstanding teachers across three categories: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master.
These designations are based on rigorous teacher evaluations and student academic growth data submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas Tech University. By participating in TIA, LISD gains access to additional state funding, allowing the district to reward and retain top educators. Stipends range from $7,800 to $30,000 and are determined by a teacher's designation and the socioeconomic level of their campus.
LISD now has 17 Recognized, 36 Exemplary, and 10 Master teachers, resulting in a total state allotment of $1,015,427, recognizing and rewarding these educators for their excellence.
“The Teacher Incentive Allotment not only provides an opportunity to retain and recruit teachers, but it also provides students with highly-skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated professionals who are prepared to open the doors to College, Career, and Military Readiness. Coupled with the professional training available at Laredo ISD for all staff, TIA is an added incentive for all professionals working on their craft,” LISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sylvia G. Rios said. “We are extremely proud of the dedication of our Laredo ISD administration who have worked hand in hand to identify and acknowledge the efforts of every single teacher who walk into our classrooms committed to student excellence and success.”
LISD’s Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Accountability, Human Resources, and the Finance Departments partnered to make this state incentive possible for LISD teachers. LISD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Gerardo Cruz said the TIA supports LISD’s goal of recruiting, developing, and retaining quality teachers in its schools.
“With great pleasure, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for participating in the Teacher Incentive Allotment program. Your dedication to the education of our youth has not gone unnoticed, and your inclusion in this program is a testament to your hard work and commitment to your profession,” Dr. Cruz added.
Teachers earn designations through two pathways: National Board Certification or through LISD's approved local designation system. The latter requires a multi-step approval process involving data validation by TEA and Texas Tech University, ensuring a consistent and thorough evaluation of teacher performance and student growth.
In 2023, 36 middle school teachers were identified for new or higher designations, with payouts scheduled for May and June 2024. LISD also has 26 teachers enrolled in the Spring 2024 National Board Support Cohort at Texas A&M International University, providing an additional pathway for teachers seeking National Board Certification. This cohort includes 18 elementary school teachers, four middle school teachers, and four high school teachers. The two-year program involves coursework and self-reflection designed to foster continuous improvement.
LISD started its TIA journey with middle school teachers but has expanded the program to elementary and high school educators across all State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) subject areas, including 3rd-8th grade reading language arts and mathematics, 5th and 8th-grade science, 8th-grade social studies, English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History. The district will submit teacher evaluations and student growth data to TEA in Fall 2024 to continue participating in the TIA program.