Fort Bend ISD board receives update on district local designation system

A teacher's allotment amount is determined by the designation level and the percent of economically disadvantaged students at the campus, according to the TIA system.

Under the system, the:

• Top 33% of teachers, known as “recognized,” will receive a $3,000-$9,000 pay bump annually
• Top 20% of teachers, or “exemplary,” will get $6,000-$18,000
• Top 5% of teachers, or “master” designation, will get $12,000-$32,000

The system’s board approved spending plan has 90% of funds being paid to the designated teacher, and the district keeping the other 10% for administrative costs and teacher support.

Who’s eligible?

FBISD teachers are assigned to four cohorts based on what subject/grade level they are in and what student growth measure is utilized, Williams said.

Community Impact previously reported Cohort 1 includes:

• Elementary school: math (kindergarten-fifth grade), English language arts (kindergarten-fifth grade), science (third-fifth grade)
• Middle school: math, English language arts, science
• Secondary: ELA I, ELA II, Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry and biology
• Special education teachers with students rostered to them who have Measurements of Academic Progress tests as the student growth scores

What they’re saying

While Williams said special education teachers of record for Cohort 1 courses are eligible for incentives, paraprofessionals are not.

“I would like to see us do it differently in Fort Bend and start putting our money where our mouth is, so to speak,” board President Kristin Tassin said. “Where we value those paraprofessionals and the work they do with our kids every single day.”

In similar news

In 2025, House Bill 2 was signed into law, allowing the State Board for Educator Certification to monitor the national board certification and see if it is going to be part of the TIA moving forward.

Additionally, a fourth category was introduced to the national board certification called "acknowledged,” which replaces “recognized” as the first one teachers can qualify for.

As of now, the certification places teachers in three separate categories: recognized, exemplary and master. The potential pay raise opportunities start at $3,000 and can reach $32,000.

Williams also said the pay will increase for each designation with the latest funding structure to be released in April.

What’s next?

In October, the district will turn in the data for state review and validation.

By February 2027, FBISD will find out if they acquired full system approval with Cohort 1 teachers to receive bonuses by August 2027.