In November 2005, Governor Rick Perry initiated a $10 million grant program for paying bonuses to school employees who have performed above expectations in raising student performance levels.  In each of the three cycles of grant awards, individual Lubbock ISD campuses have received the award.

The purpose of the grant is to enable eligible applicants to establish or implement grants for the creation of a system of financial incentives to award educators who achieve higher levels of student academic performance, AND to develop teacher advancement initiatives that promote professional growth and emphasize research-based strategies for improving instruction to increase student achievement outcomes. The amount of award is based on percentage of educationally disadvantaged students and high levels of achievement or growth in student achievement.

The Lubbock ISD campuses were selected based upon their high percentages of educationally disadvantaged students and how the school performed on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests during the previous year(s).
Each campus is required to create an incentive plan that ensures teachers who receive an incentive payment demonstrate BOTH of the following:

• Success in improving student performance using objective, quantifiable measures.
• Participation in collaboration with faculty and staff that contribute to improving overall student performance on the campus.

A campus level decision making body determined and approved the incentive plan and distribution of incentive funds before consideration at the district level. The campus committee is composed of individuals representing a diverse and broad mix of teachers, including representation form different grade levels and subject areas.