Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Initiative Math Project Director’s Meeting September 12, 2006

What is the THSP/T-STEM Initiative? The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Initiative is a $71 million initiative designed to improve instruction and academic performance in science and math related subjects in Texas secondary schools The Texas High School Project (THSP) is a $260M public-private initiative with 3 funding streams administered cooperatively toward common goals: –$148M TEA—$118M in state and $30M in federal funding –$57M Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private funding managed by THSP staff at Communities Foundation of Texas –$55M Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

What is the vision of the THSP ? All Texas students will graduate high school ready for college and career success and prepared to be contributing members of the community. To succeed in work and life in the 21 st century, students need the opportunity to achieve the highest level of education they can: Four-year college Community college Military Job training

Why is the T-STEM Initiative key to the THSP? High school students continue to pass the Math and Science sections of the high school graduation test (TAKS) at lower rates than the ELA or Social Studies sections.

Why is the T-STEM Initiative key to the THSP? Texas has lower percentages of students taking Advanced Placement exams in Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics than the nation and lower percentages of students scoring a 3 or higher. The number of Hispanic and African American students in Texas who score a 3 or higher on the Chemistry and Physics AP exams is fewer than 500. Two of the most common reasons campuses were Academically Unacceptable under the state accountability system were failure to meet the TAKS math standards and failure to meet the TAKS science standards. Math performance was one of the top reasons that campuses failed to meet federal AYP standards.

What are the goals of T-STEM Initiative? Improve instruction and academic performance in science and math at high schools across Texas Align the high school curriculum with the admission requirements of colleges and the qualifications needed to succeed in the 21 st century economy Create 35 T-STEM Academies that prepare students for STEM- related postsecondary study and careers Establish regional T-STEM Centers that support the transformation of STEM instruction throughout Texas Establish a Best Practices Network for statewide dissemination of lessons learned and promising practices in math and science education

What is STEM Education? Teaching and learning strategies that challenge students to innovate and invent Model real world contexts for learning and work Integration of math, science, and technology with other subject areas The design process drives student engagement How do we help children make sense of the world and solve new and novel problems?

8 Where are the T-STEM Investments? Houston Austin San Antonio Dallas Fort Worth El Paso Brownsville Region I UTEP Regions XIII & XX Texas Tech Texas A&M Burnham Wood Harmony Science Carver HS YES SE Harmony Science KIPP CCISD (Moody HS) AJ Moore Harmony Science NEISD Manor ISD New Deal ISD Irving Academy Harmony Science Waxahachie ISD Dallas ISD Richardson ISD

Role of the Math and Science Collaboratives in T-STEM Centers T-STEM Centers are partnerships between higher education institutions, local education agencies, regional education service centers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and science collaboratives Centers will provide professional development, conduct research, develop STEM curricula and instructional materials, and broadly disseminate best practices

T-STEM Next Steps Support for current grantees through technical assistance grant to CFT Development of T-STEM digital portal and electronic learning community RFA for 2 T-STEM Centers to support East Texas regions RFA for 6-7 T-STEM academies to open in fall of 2008 RFA(s) to launch the Best Practices Network

Contact Information For more information about the T-STEM Initiative, please contact Kelvey Oeser or Mary Wells. Kelvey OeserMary Wells Program Manager— Senior Program OfficerT-STEM Initiative Texas Education AgencyCommunities Foundation of William B. Travis BuildingTexas 1701 N. Congress Avenue5500 Caruth Haven Lane Austin, TX 7870Dallas, TX (512) (214)