Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Teacher Incentive Allotment funds were signed into law in 2019.
Gov. Greg Abbott, in an effort to bolster his education record in the state, announced this year’s teacher incentive package.
Abbott rolled out more than $750 million in Teacher Incentive Allotment funds on Thursday, June 11, to more than 65,000 Texas teachers across more than 800 school systems. These funds, administered by the Texas Education Agency, bring the total TIA awards to more than $1.8 billion since the program’s inception.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment was signed into law by Abbott in 2019 under House Bill 3. The $750 million announced this week is a routine but also demonstrates how large the program has grown.
“Texas is blessed with teachers who have educated and inspired students for generations,” Abbott said. “These incentive funds ensure that the best teachers are recognized for their efforts to improve the lives of their students. As we empower teachers to succeed, Texas will remain on the path to be the number one state for education in the country.”
The state contended that teacher retention increases after TIA implementation, and by years three and four, school systems retain top-performing teachers at meaningfully higher rates, resulting in an approximately 20% increase in teacher retention for districts’ most effective teachers and overall stronger retention across the board.
Under the plan, the TEA notes that school systems see about one-third of a year of growth in math and reading, showing the incentive program’s impact grows over time as local designation systems mature.
Gina Hinojosa holds education roundtable
Texas Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa took aim at Abbott’s education funding plans in bipartisan roundtable discussions with parents and educators.
Throughout the week, Hinojosa rolled out Team Texas Public Schools, a new bipartisan organizing program designed to coach and engage parents, teachers and administrators to fight school closures across the state.
“Let me be clear,” Hinojosa said at an event in Fort Worth. “Yes, our schools need improvement. But it can never, ever be the answer that we take our public schools away from parents and the community. And that is why when I am governor, on day one I will fire TEA Commissioner Mike Morath and end school takeovers.”
The roundtables with parents, teachers and administrators – Democrats and Republicans alike – discussed the issues facing their public school districts, from funding to local control to teacher retention.
Hinojosa further contended that under Abbott’s leadership, many public schools have closed because of budget issues and teachers leaving the profession.
Important dates for 2026 Texas election
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 5, either online, by mail, or in person.
Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 23 for mail requests or Oct. 19 for in-person requests. The absentee ballot return deadline is Nov. 3, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Abbott announces teacher incentive funding
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
