Redesigning Texas High Schools T-STEM Initiative (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Brenda Wojnowski, T-STEM Initiative Pam Buckley, T-STEM Centers Dee Chambliss, T-STEM Academies
Why THSP?
Disparities persist TAKS Exit Level Passing Rates - Preliminary Spring 2007
College-readiness low Percent of Students Meeting THECB Standard for Higher Education Readiness* English Language Arts Math Both All students 52% 53% 38% African-American 39% 32% 20% Hispanic 42% 42% 27% White 64% 67% 50% *Preliminary 2007
THSP s Mission All Texas high school students will have the opportunity to achieve their highest educational potential and promote state competitiveness in the 21st Century.
THSP s Vision All Texas students will graduate high school ready for college and career success and prepared to be contributing members of the community.
THSP Our Focus Urban areas and Texas-Mexico border First-generation college students Underserved students Economically disadvantaged students
THSP Our Work In classrooms Implementing intervention programs for at-risk students In schools Creating new models to address 21st Century student educational needs In districts Empowering district administrators to change practices and policies to support campuses In people Developing innovative preparation and professional development programs for teachers and school leaders
THSP- Program Areas Creating new models and support structures Early College High Schools New Schools and Charter Schools Redesigned High Schools District Engagement Educational Leadership Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM)
THSP/CFT Investments to Date (Includes TEA-Funded w/ CFT Technical Assistance) Region Central New School Options 2007-08 Projected* 10 11 Students 2007-08 Projected* 3,195 4,920 East 28 30 9,920 14,950 High Plains 2 2 218 940 North 19 20 5,455 9,400 South 20 24 5,712 11,700 West 8 9 2,900 4,100 Total 87 96 27,400 46,010 * Projected at full enrollment for investments to date.
Students Served THSP Ethnicity* African American 16% White 8% Other 2% Hispanic 74% Hispanic African American White Other * 2006-2007 Grantee Self-Reported Data
Students Served THSP Socio-Economic Status* Economically Disadvantaged 70% Not Economically Disadvantaged 30% * 2006-2007 Grantee Self-Reported Data
What is STEM Education? Teaching and learning strategies that challenge students to innovate and invent Integration of math, science, and technology with other subject areas The use of the design process to drive student engagement How do we help children make sense of the world and solve new and novel problems?
T-STEM Goals Create at least 35 T-STEM Academies Establish 5-6 T-STEM Centers geographically dispersed throughout Texas Develop statewide best practices STEM Network Increase pool of highly qualified STEM teachers and school leaders
T-STEM Initiative T-STEM Academies T-STEM Centers Leadership Network/Learning Community 16
T-STEM Academies - Prepare students for STEM post secondary study and careers Develop the capacity to design and/or replicate and sustain performance-driven school models. Transform instructional practice to improve student achievement for all students. Serve as demonstration sites to inform STEM teaching and learning statewide.
T-STEM Academies Design Mix of public charter schools, traditional public schools Stand alone or school-within-aschool Approximately 100 students per grade Secondary schools Serve a population with a majority representation of high-need students Open enrollment, non-selective, admission by lottery Panhandle New Deal ISD Harmony Science West Burnham Wood Harmony Science South Canutillo ISD El Paso ISD Harmony Science North East ISD Corpus Christi IDEA Academy (2) La Sara ISD Valley View ISD School of Excellence North Irving Academy Harmony Science Waxahachie ISD Dallas ISD (Conrad HS) Richardson ISD Peak Academy-Williams Prep Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Uplift East Central AJ Moore - Waco ISD Texas BioSci - Temple College Manor ISD Rapoport Harmony Science Carver HS - Aldine ISD YES Prep SE Harmony School of Excellence KIPP Houston Harmony Science (3) Early Innovators Longview ISD 2006 Academies 2007 Academies 2008 Academies
T-STEM Centers Support transformation of STEM instruction Serve STEM needs in geographic area Develop unique state-wide STEM expertise Form a network of Centers that provide support for each other 19
T-STEM Centers Panhandle Texas Tech T-STEM Texas Tech Lubbock ISD ESC Regions 14-18 West El Paso T-STEM UT El Paso 12 El Paso area school districts Region 19 Central Transformation 2013 Region 13 in Austin (partnering w/) ESC Region 20 in San Antonio UT Austin College of Engineering San Antonio ISD Taylor ISD Dana Center at UT Austin Providing support to centers and academies, as well as other schools across Texas North North Texas STEM Texas A&M Dallas ISD ESC Region 10 South El Centro del Futuro Region One (partnering w/) UT Pan Am 13 school districts, and the UT Dana Center Design Physically located in universities and ESCs Serve the education needs of local areas Provide expertise across the state East East Texas STEM UT Tyler TX A&M Texarkana ESC Regions 5-8 & 6 ISDs in NE Texas Southeast Regional STEM UT Medical Branch Rice Texas State NASA ESC Regions 3-5 Houston Museum of Natural Sci 9 ISDs (including Houston, Galveston, Cypress Fairbanks)
T-STEM Initiative T-STEM Academies T-STEM Centers Leadership Network/Learning Community 21
T-STEM Network To advance STEM education knowledge Digital Portal Convenings Grant Programs 22
T-STEM Network Grant Programs Network Acceleration Grant 56 high-need campuses Purpose - analyze student data, implement highly effective math and science acceleration strategies Network Science Achievement Program 20 campuses with largest gains in science achievement after participation in TX ASAP program Purpose expand, enhance, and document successful science intervention programs THSP Exemplar Program 20 Exemplar practices Purpose expand, enhance, and document successful high school reform practices
Future of the T-STEM Initiative Continuation and support of current grantees Identification of new academies Formal launch of the network digital portal Additional grant programs
THSP Who We Are The Texas High School Project is a public-private alliance dedicated to improving graduation and college-readiness rates. Texas Education Agency Governor s Office and the Texas Legislature Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Michael and Susan Dell Foundation Communities Foundation of Texas Greater Texas Foundation National Instruments
Learn More THSP Website: STEM Events, Professional Development, and Successful Practices thsp.org TEA Grant Opportunities http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/grantopportunities/forms/
For more information about the Texas High School Project or the T-STEM Initiative, please contact Brenda Wojnowski, Ed.D. Senior Program Officer, T-STEM, Communities Foundation of Texas 214-750-4125 bwojnowski@cftexas.org