The Texas High School Project (THSP) is a bold investment in future generations of Texas and the continued economic health of the state. The $261 million public-private initiative is committed to increasing graduation rates and college enrollment rates in Texas communities. THSP partners include the Texas Education Agency, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Wallace Foundation, educators and others. The Governor of Texas strongly supports the program.

Philanthropic investments in THSP are managed by Communities Foundation of Texas and public resources by the Texas Education Agency. In December 2005 another $71 million public-private partnership, the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Initiative, was launched by THSP to raise the quality of math and science education and to persuade more Texas students to pursue courses and careers in technological and scientific fields. Resources committed to the THSP support new and redesigned high schools, educator training and development of programs that will help students get ready for college.

Building on the state's nationally recognized high school curriculum standards, the Texas High School Project stands out as a model of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors join forces to raise academic achievement levels in high schools.

Although Texas has improved achievement levels in its high schools, a persistent achievement gap exists among ethnic and economic student groups. Increasing the graduation rate and raising the academic achievement expectations for all high school students may be the most important challenge facing this country and this state. In today's knowledge-based economy, dropping out of high school or failing to earn a postsecondary degree limits students' employment options and reduces the income they can earn. A high school graduate in 2000 earned about 25 percent more a year than a student who dropped out. A college graduate made more than twice as much as a student who did not complete high school.

Learn more about THSP

www.edin08.com

The Texas High School Project is a proud supporter of Strong American Schools, a nonpartisan public awareness and action campaign offering a voice to every American who supports "ED in 08." The goal is a rigorous nationwide debate on education reform where every presidential candidate addresses three priorities that hold great promise for improving education:

• Agreeing on American education standards
• Providing effective teachers in every classroom
• Giving students more time and support for learning