INDUSTRY, CUSTOMER, & COMPETITOR ANALYSIS An analysis of the state of education in Houston, Texas

Houston, TX (Harris County) Harris County is the largest public school system in TX 20 total school districts 7th largest public school system in the US (Harris County Department of Education)

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT (HISD) Most HISD schools are assigned to one of five regions (North, East, South, West, and Central) with offices located in communities to give students and parents personalized service and immediate assistance. Each regional office is managed by a regional superintendent who coordinates a team of executive principals to ensure the quality of instruction throughout the region's feeder patterns.

Houston Independent School District The Houston Independent School District is at the forefront of the great challenge of its time: “to break the connection between poverty and achievement, while still ensuring that all children achieve to their utmost potential.” (2008 State of the Schools, Annual Report) (www.houstonisd.org)

Houston Independent School District STATE OF EDUCATION Houston Independent School District

STATE OF EDUCATION Houston, TX (HISD) Five years ago, HISD had nine Exemplary schools, as rated by the Texas Education Agency’s accountability system. Today, it has 38, and the total number of highest-rated schools is 157 Scale: unacceptable (15), acceptable (104), recognized (119), & exemplary (38)

STATE OF EDUCATION Houston, TX (HISD) In 1987, 70 percent of the county’s schools were on the states list of lowest performing schools Only 5 percent of the county’s schools are in the state’s lowest performing category.

Students by Ethnicity (2008) African American: 55,582 (27.8%) Asian: 6,501 (3.2%) Hispanic: 122, 278 (61.1) Native American: 157 (0.1%) White: 15,707 (7.8)

Campuses & Enrollment (2008) Academic Level Number of Schools Enrollment % of All Students Elementary 179 108,725 54.3 Middle 39 34,235 17.1 High 43 46,317 23.1 Combined/other 35 10,948 5.5 TOTAL 296 200,225

Students by Program (2008-2009) # of Students % of All Students LEP 61,813 30.87 ESL 16,600 8.29 Bilingual 40,736 20.35 At Risk 135,257 67.55 Title I 186,493 93.14 Special Education 16,918 8.45 Gifted/Talented 24,986 12.48 Economically Disadvantaged 161,933 80.88

School Completion (2007) Student Status District African American Asian Hispanic White % Graduated 64.3 66.7 87.8 55.6 86.9 % Received GED 1.1 0.6 0.8 2.5 % Continued HS 12.5 9.6 6.4 16.8 3.8 % Dropped out (4 years) 22.1 22.6 5.1 26.8 6.7

TX Department of State Health Services Teen Pregnancy in TX How Often Does a Teenager in Texas Get Pregnant? Every 10 minutes, a teen in Texas gets pregnant. Every 10 hours, a 14-year-old teen gets pregnant. Every 3 hours, a 15-year-old teen gets pregnant. Every 1.5 hours, a 16-year-old teen gets pregnant. Every 52 minutes, a 17-year-old-teen gets pregnant. Every 35 minutes, an 18-year-old teen gets pregnant. Every 28 minutes, a 19-year-old teen gets pregnant. TX Department of State Health Services www.dshs.state.tx.us

Teen Parents & Education Teenage parenting often averts or postpones education for both girls and boys. While 7 out of 10 teen mothers eventually complete high school or receive a GED, they are less likely than girls who delay childbearing to go on to college. TX Department of State Health Services www.dshs.state.tx.us

Teens Raising Children Research sponsored by the Robin Hood Foundation compared children whose mothers were 17 or younger with children whose mothers were 20-21 when they gave birth. The research indicates that children born to teen mothers tend to have: lower cognitive test scores and more difficulty in school poorer health yet receive less health care less stimulating and supportive home environments higher levels of incarceration higher rates of adolescent childbearing themselves

HISD Priorities in 2009 GOAL: Graduating more students GOAL: Increase Student Achievement GOAL: Narrowing performance gaps between minority and nonminority students

Existing Initiatives & Partnerships Houston Independent School System

EXISTING INITIATIVES/PARTNERSHPS Literacy Leads the Way Initiative District launched initiative in 2008 Goal: to set expectations for reading, writing, and speaking, and to make literacy coaches available at all grade levels ASPIRE (Accelerating Student Progress. Increasing Results & Expectations) the district’s educational-improvement and performance-management model performance bonuses to nearly 13,000 HISD teachers and instructional and noninstructional staff members as a reward for helping children make strong academic progress during the 2006–2007 school year For additional initiatives and/or partnerships please visit http://www.houstonisd.org/vgn/images/portal/cit_23015118/94983619Microsoft%20Word%20-%20ProgramsAvailable.pdf

EXISTING INITIATIVES/PARTNERSHPS Leaders In Education A district partnership that established a fifth- and sixth-grade program, which will eventually be located in all quadrants of the school district. Designed to assist students who are likely to struggle in ninth grade and not graduate from high school, it includes a comprehensive after-school tutoring and enrichment program, and group and individual counseling to support improvement in academic achievement, behavior, and self-esteem. Reach Out To Dropouts Established in 2003/2004 persuaded nearly 100 dropouts to come back to school to continue their education in 2008. For additional initiatives and/or partnerships please visit http://www.houstonisd.org/vgn/images/portal/cit_23015118/94983619Microsoft%20Word%20-%20ProgramsAvailable.pdf

EXISTING INITIATIVES/PARTNERSHPS Best Friends This program provides positive social experiences, mentoring, and opportunities for personal growth to girls in at-risk situations to prevent teen pregnancy (bestfriendsfoundation.org) Pregnancy Related Services This program includes counseling, school and health related services, transportation for the student and/or their children, case management and service coordination, and Compensatory Education Home Instruction (CEHI). CEHI provides academic instruction to students at home and in the hospital, particularly when pregnancy prevents them from attending school and during the post-partum period. For additional initiatives and/or partnerships please visit http://www.houstonisd.org/vgn/images/portal/cit_23015118/94983619Microsoft%20Word%20-%20ProgramsAvailable.pdf

EXISTING INITIATIVES/PARTNERSHPS Kay On-Going Education Center offers academic courses for pregnant girls in grades 6-12. The program provides an alternative setting for at-risk, pregnant girls. Health classes, nutritious meals, counseling and social services, adapted physical education classes, and other supporting activities are provided on campus in addition to the academic program. Pregnancy Education and Parenting (PEP) This program provides comprehensive support services to parenting teens in 12 high schools. The program includes academic support, child-care, parenting, social services, and transportation. For additional initiatives and/or partnerships please visit http://www.houstonisd.org/vgn/images/portal/cit_23015118/94983619Microsoft%20Word%20-%20ProgramsAvailable.pdf

Where To Go From Here What does this mean for our non-profit? What can we offer the market in Houston? What are our options?

Option 1 Program for Pregnant & At-risk Teens Supporting pregnant at-risk teens Offer self-esteem, self-confidence & determination workshops, activities, & seminars Offer relevant group discussions and motivational speakers College Readiness Plan Offer tutoring Offer college readiness workshops/seminars Offer college tours Raising a Child While in School Plan Provide tips on raising a child in HS (former/current young parents as guest speakers) Provide tips on recommended ways to raise a smart, healthy & happy child (i.e. Your Baby Can Read)

Option 2 Alternative Learning Program Support female adolescents through middle and/or high school Self-esteem, self-confidence workshops/seminars Offer dance, cooking, athletic, & research workshops/seminars College preparatory plan Tutoring College readiness workshops/seminars College tours

Additional Options Combination of options 1 & 2 A program that focuses solely on building relationships, womanhood, self-esteem, etc. for at-risk females A program that is solely academics driven

Look forward to solidifying a concept for our non-profit!! Questions/Comments Please bring all ideas, questions, and/or comments to the next meeting on July 10th! Look forward to solidifying a concept for our non-profit!!