Houston Independent School District (HISD) is set to implement a new pay-for-performance model in the 2026–2027 school year, linking teacher salaries directly to student academic outcomes per reports. This initiative aims to attract, retain, and reward effective educators by recognizing their impact on student growth.​

Under the Teacher Excellence System (TES), educators will be evaluated based on instructional quality, student achievement, adherence to campus action plans, and professionalism. Evaluations will categorize teachers into performance tiers, with exemplary teachers potentially earning up to $92,000 annually, while those rated unsatisfactory may receive around $64,000. To ease the transition, HISD has assured that a decline in evaluation scores will not result in salary reductions for the first four years.​ 

"One teacher might be making $20,000 more than another teacher because they're deemed to be highly effective by someone who is not in the classroom with them," Houston Federation of Teachers Jackie Anderson told the outlet. 

Superintendent Mike Miles emphasized that the primary goal is to ensure students have access to high-quality instruction, stating, "In the end of the day, yes, it's about our teachers, but more importantly, it's about the children and whether or not they have the best quality we can possibly give them, and that starts with an effective teacher in the classroom."

However, the Houston Federation of Teachers has expressed concerns. President Jackie Anderson criticized the model as potentially divisive and unfair, arguing that it may foster competition rather than teacher collaboration. She advocates for straightforward professional compensation without complex performance-based schemes.​

HISD reportedly told families that this compensation shift is designed to recognize and reward outstanding teaching, reinforcing the district's commitment to student success through effective instruction.