To award campuses for positively impacting At Risk Student achievement in Math and Science.

 In May 2006, the Legislature passed an exceptional statute dealing with teacher incentive programs for the purpose of “….improving instructional quality and teacher efficacy to increase student achievement.” ¹   First, House Bill 1 approving an awards system such as Teacher Educator Excellence Grant (T.E.E.G.) and D.A.T.E. programs for educators was passed by the 79^th Legislature.  Thereafter, $147.5 million was appropriated by the 80^th Legislature for FY 2008-2009. 

A local award plan was created by each District with appropriated funds.   The appropriation of funds was determined by the District’s average daily attendance.  SAISD was very fortunate to have received almost $3.7 million for campus awards.  The State guidelines allocated a minimum of 60% of the funds to be used for teacher awards where as “the remaining percent of funds may be used on other allowable activities including stipends and awards for; recruitment and retention of teachers, career, mentor, and master teachers, on-going applied professional growth, increasing local data capabilities to support instruction and accountability, principals who increase student performance, other school staff and implementing elements of the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP)”.¹ In addition, the State stipulated that each District must match 15% of the appropriated funds in the first year, 25% in the second year and 35% in the third year. 

SAISD created a District-Level Planning Committee comprised of representatives from Human Resources, Curriculum & Instruction, Special Campus Programs, Finance, Technology, Accountability, and Research & Evaluation, Professional Learning, Campus Operations, Federal Programs, select Principals and Teachers, and San Antonio Alliance of Teaches and Support Personnel.  Upon meeting weekly from April through June 2008, the Planning Committee collectively established a District Award Plan, motivated by the District Strategic Plan.  Before finalizing the established goals, members of the Planning Committee solicited input at the scheduled meetings listed below: