Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Initiative

The Texas High School Project (THSP) - supported by the Governor of Texas, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) - has taken on one of the state's greatest challenges - the need for more students to develop a passion for math and science. Although the demand for scientists and engineers to fill jobs in Texas is double the rate of other occupations, the number of young people preparing for careers in these fields has dramatically declined. In response, THSP launched the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (TSTEM) Initiative on December 15, 2005. The $71 million public-private partnership will establish 35 small schools that offer focused teaching and learning opportunities in STEM subject areas and five to six STEM Centers to develop high-quality teachers and schools. National Instruments Corporation, a pioneer technology company based in Austin, has pledged $1 million to the initiative. The highest-quality education in these subjects is critical to workforce development in Texas.

Student achievement is improving in Texas, but too many are not achieving at high levels. This is especially true in the areas of math and science and for low-income and minority students. While 73 percent of white ninth graders passed the state assessment in math in 2005, only 38 percent of African American ninth graders and just 44 percent of Hispanic ninth graders passed. Texas is not alone in this struggle.

Launched in 2003, the Texas High School Project is founded on the belief that college-ready high school graduates ensure an educated workforce, a robust economy and strong communities in Texas. The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (TSTEM) initiative was created to ensure Texas high school students - in particular, low-income and minority students - have the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in STEM fields. The public-private partnership will create 35 Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academies over the next five years. TSTEM Academies will serve grades six through 12 and enroll at least 25,000 low-income and minority students annually at full capacity. This new kind of school will be designed to spark students' interest in math and science by engaging them in real-world learning activities.

The 35 TSTEM Academies are expected to include a mixture of charter schools, traditional public schools and schools operated in conjunction with an institute of higher education. All academies will start the program in sixth grade and focus on the most challenged school districts and the most disadvantaged students across Texas.

The initiative also includes a STEM-focused professional development and technical assistance initiative that will create five to six Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Centers to ensure Texas has the best math and science teachers and schools. In addition, TSTEM will establish a statewide network to equip all Texas high schools to adopt best practices and math and science teaching techniques honed at the academies. Another unique aspect of this initiative is its commitment to aligning high school, post-secondary education and economic development activities so that students not only receive a high quality education in STEM subjects, but are also presented with career opportunities in those fields due to economic development efforts in the same areas.

The privately funded THSP and Texas Education Agency will manage TSTEM. The collaborating organizations expect to address the quality of math and science education in Texas and to build a model to serve as an example nationwide.

Learn more about TSTEM

For additional information, contact Brenda Wojnowski, Senior Program Officer of TSTEM, at (214) 750-4125 or bwojnowski@cftexas.org.