On May 15, 2025, Yorktown secondary teacher and coach Val Acree appeared at the state capitol in Austin before the Senate K-16 Education Committee to provide testimony on the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) perspective in regards to House Bill 2 funding. Acree, a policy fellow with Teach Plus Texas, was selected by Committee Chairman Brandon Creighton to provide invited testimonyontherole TIA plays in rural schools.
According to Natalie Brown, Texas Policy Manager at Teach Plus Texas, “Acree was selected for his exceptional leadership in education, reputation for engaging classroom practices, mentorship of his peers, and dedication to student success. His testimony reflects not only his expertise, but the vital role TIA plays in enabling rural schools to recruit and retain quality teachers. Val Acree’s testimony will hopefully provide meaningful change from the classroom to the Capitol.”
TIA was established with the goal of providing outstanding teachers an accessible pathway to a more financially secure future. Unlike previous education programs, the Teacher Incentive Allotment is not a grant. Through approved local designation systems, districts can identify and designate outstanding teachers based on student growth and classroom observation. Employing designated teachers generates extra funding for districts to reward top performers.
Yorktown Independent School District currently has 20 teachers on staff that have received one of the three designations under the TIA program. For the2022-2023schoolyear, 14teachersreceivedacombined total of $165,424 in August of 2024. For the 2023-2024 school year, 20 teacherswillreceiveacombined total of $277,405 in August of 2025.
TIA has benefited Yorktown ISD in several ways. It provides substantial compensation for highly effective teachers. Because TIA designations are tied to student growth, the program has shifted the instructional focus beyond merely passing state assessments to ensuring measurable progress for all students. This has led to improved student outcomes.
Because TIA encourages a culture of continuous professional growth, Teachers are more responsive to feedback and intentional in aligning their work to the instructional strategies associated with Accomplished and Distinguished ratings. This results in more reflective practice, stronger instruction, and improved outcomes for students.
TIA prioritizes funding for high-need campuses, ensuring that students in rural and economically disadvantaged communities have access to the most effective teachers. For districts like Yorktown ISD, this has leveled the playing field by providing additional incentives to attract and retain top educators in schools where they are needed most.
Districts are required to reinvest a portion of their TIA allotment— up to 10%—into professional development. Yorktown ISD uses these funds to support high-quality instructional coaching, content-specifi c training, and leadership development.
TIA supports longterm retention by recognizing and rewarding consistent excellence in the classroom. It provides motivation for teachers to remain in the profession and continue refining their instructional practice year after year. The opportunity for recurring designation encourages educators to stay invested, both in their students and their school communities.
TIA has had a significant impact on recruitment and retention in rural districts. Teachers are choosing to stay longer in the classroom to pursue or maintain designations, and some have even postponed retirement to remain eligible. The added compensation helps smaller districts, like Yorktown ISD, remain competitive with larger systems when attracting qualified educators.
In his speech before the Senate K-16 Education Committee, Acree said, “I’m here today to speak on the TIA and its positive impact—particularly in rural schools like mine. Small districts struggle to compete with larger schools on salary, but TIA helps level the playing field.”
Acree pointed out how programs like TIA have helped Yorktown fill teacher shortages over the past few years, as several highly-qualified teachers have moved to Yorktown ISD for the specific purpose of being eligible for TIA.
Acree also voiced his approval for some proposed changes to TIA, which include a proposed expansion of TIA—from 30% to 50% eligible teachers— and will allow even more teachers to benefit, further improving recruitment and instruction. He also strongly supported the addition of the “Acknowledged” designation. Both of these changes give more teachers a pathway to recognition and reward.
In his closing remarks, Acree said, “If TIA continues to grow, it will empower rural schools to recruit excellent teachers, ensuring our students receive an education that parallels larger districts with more resources and capacity. Every student, regardless of zip code, deserves access to high-quality instruction, and this investment brings us one step closer to that goal. Thank you for your time and commitment to our schools.”
The Texas Senate is scheduled to vote on House Bill 2 on May 28, 2025.
