University of Texas System - Institute for Public School Initiatives

About TIF

The goal of the TIF program is to improve student achievement in high need schools through a comprehensive strategy aimed at rewarding teachers and principals for effectiveness with performance-based differentiated compensation; recruiting and retaining high quality teachers and principals in high need schools defined by low student achievement and high concentrations of minority and economically disadvantaged students; and recruiting and retaining high quality teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas such as mathematics and science.

Project Schedule:

August 2007, provide substantial financial recruitment incentives for teachers and principals (ranging from $2,000-$4,000) who have proven success in increasing student achievement, distributed based on hard-to-staff subject areas such as mathematics and science (for teachers) and hard-to-staff campuses (for principals).
August 2008, all TIF schools funded under this grant will be fully operational with differentiated compensation given to teachers based on their level of increased responsibility (salary augmentations for master and mentor teachers).
May 2009, improve student achievement by at least one standard deviation above the control group (as measured by value-added growth).
August 2009, begin the school year with 100% of certified positions filled with highly qualified and effective teachers.
May 2010, expand TIF so that two additional schools for every TIF school will implement a similar performance pay system (funded through sources other than this grant).
June 2012, analyze the differentiated compensation structures provided under this grant to determine which incentives provide for the most cost effective student gains.

UTS TIF will enable districts and schools to reward excellent instruction and leadership through performance-based financial incentives (including high need schools and hard to staff subject areas), relevant job embedded professional development to help teachers and principals increase student learning and achievement, and multiple career pathways for career advancement without leaving the classroom or school. UTS TIF will enable us to build the capacity of these schools and districts to provide and support effective teachers and leaders who serve approximately 16,800 high poverty, high minority students each year.

Federal Teacher Incentive Fund Program