School District launches Teacher Incentive Allotment program for K-12 teachers

The Belton Independent School District (ISD) Board Workshop held on April 21, 2025, focused on the implementation of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, which aims to recognize and reward eligible teachers based on specific performance criteria. The meeting began with an overview of the three teacher designations: recognized, exemplary, and master. These designations will be determined using evaluation instruments such as the T-test and STAR Renaissance data.

Deanna, a key presenter, outlined the design team process that has been in development since the TIA's introduction in 2019. The team, which included 19 teachers and principals from various campuses, worked collaboratively to establish criteria for teacher eligibility and to create a spending plan for the program. The discussions emphasized the importance of teacher input in determining how student growth measures would be weighted.

The workshop highlighted the significance of reliable pre- and post-tests for measuring student growth, with STAR Renaissance identified as the primary assessment tool. The design team recommended that teachers in grades six through eight, specifically in reading and math, as well as Algebra I and English I and II, be included in the initial rollout of the TIA program. These areas were chosen due to their existing use of STAR Renaissance for measuring student growth.

A notable point of discussion was the requirement for teachers to participate in the TIA program, as opting out is not permitted. This decision is tied to the use of STAR Renaissance assessments, which are mandatory for measuring student growth. The board acknowledged the need for future phases to include additional subjects, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Spanish, but noted that significant work would be required to establish valid pre- and post-tests for these areas.

In conclusion, the workshop underscored the district's commitment to enhancing teacher performance through the TIA program while ensuring that all eligible teachers have a voice in its implementation. The next steps will involve further discussions on expanding the program and developing necessary assessments for additional subjects.