While teachers sometimes feel powerless, there are important opportunities available to those who want to make a difference. We encourage all teachers to seek out these opportunities, and to pay close attention to the areas in which teachers and other educators have been given the chance to provide input.
District- and campus-level site-based decision-making committees were designed to ensure that teachers, parents and community members have an active voice in local education matters. The superintendent must regularly consult with the district-level committee, and the principal must regularly consult with the campus-level committee. Teacher representatives on the committees are to be elected by the teachers of the district/campus. On the district-level committee, at least two-thirds of the elected professional staff representatives must be classroom teachers. If practicable, the committee also must include at least one professional staff representative primarily responsible for educating students with disabilities.
The committees may develop an appraisal process and performance criteria for teachers, and must be consulted if the district adopts a local process and criteria for appraisal instead of using the process recommended by TEA. A district seeking a waiver from rule or law must submit to the commissioner an application and written comments from either the campus- or district-level committee. Importantly, the district-level committee must approve a district of innovation plan, and must approve renewal of or amendments to the adopted DOI plan.
Campus-level committees assist the principal in developing, reviewing and revising the campus improvement plan. The committee is to be involved in decisions in the areas of planning, budgeting, curriculum, staffing patterns, staff development and school organization. Staff development must be primarily campus-based and developed and approved by the campus-level committee. Districtwide staff development may be used only if it is developed and approved through the district-level site-based decision-making process.
Most Texas school districts have already gone through the district of innovation process but for those that may be considering DOI status, a committee must be formed to develop the plan. This is generally a committee separate from the district-level committee that approves the plan. Ten years after the passage of the bill creating DOIs, many existing districts of innovation either have already amended and/or renewed their original plan (plans must be renewed every five years) or will soon be considering taking such action. Employees in these districts cannot let down their guard, as there can be many nuances to DOI exemptions that can negatively impact your work. Strong teacher voices on the DOI committee are needed.
When developing a local plan to participate in the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, districts must consider feedback from stakeholders, primarily including teachers. The district should form a Local Optional Teacher Designation System committee that includes multiple teachers, and gather input from teachers and other stakeholders. The TIA plan includes decisions regarding which teachers are eligible for TIA awards, what criteria must be met, and how the awards are allocated, so teachers should pay very close attention to these issues.
Note that the new “Enhanced Teacher Incentive Allotment” created in House Bill 2 in the 2025 legislative session does not specifically require a process for ensuring teacher input, so TCTA will advocate for a strong teacher role in the criteria adopted by the commissioner of education.
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