Teacher Incentive Funds Could Reach 442 Districts

Most of the large districts in the state are included in that count. As a result, most of the teachers in the state could be eligible for performance incentives in the 2008–09 school year. The commissioner’s rules for the new teacher award program are ready for adoption at the Dec. 9, 2007, State Board of Education meeting.

Between December and May, interested districts will have to develop their plan to define who is eligible, what criteria will be rewarded, and how much will be paid. The commissioner’s rules for the grant program are posted on TEA’s Web site. The majority of teachers on participating campuses must vote to approve the plan and their approval must be documented before the application is approved by the school board and submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The final number of districts seeking the grants is likely to drop below the original 442, leaving more funds for the remaining contenders. The amount of district grants will be based on the average daily attendance of the final participating districts.

Some highlights from the proposed rules:

• Awards for teachers should be at least $3,000 unless the school board determines otherwise. Minimum awards cannot be less than $1,000 for teachers.
• Funds will be provided in 2008–09 and local districts must provide a funding match of 15 percent of the total award in cash or in kind. An in-kind match may be other funds directed for allowable activities such as existing award programs or teacher stipends, professional development, or salaries for DATE program administrators.
• Districts have to show that they have a strategic plan to decrease dependence on state funds to assure long-term sustainability after grant funds expire.
• Districts must agree to participate for at least two years. The Texas Legislature will have to appropriate additional funding for grants beyond 2009.
• Districts must send a team to a technical assistance training session from TEA before developing the plan.
• The local school board has to approve the district plan and any changes to the plan.