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Mathematics & Science: Keys to
Our Students’ Future
Scientists and Mathematicians: An
Endangered Species
• In 2003, one-fourth of those who held a science
or engineering degree and 40% of those with
PhDs and who were in the workforce were 50 or
older.
• Meanwhile, jobs in the STEM fields are outpacing
overall job growth by 3:1
Pipeline Is Not keeping Pace
• Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant
decrease in the proportion of doctorates earned by U.S.
citizens and permanent residents in STEM fields
– 84% in 1966
– 59% in 2004
• While increasing numbers of immigrant STEM
professionals are returning to their home counties
• And the fraction of U.S. students who are entering college
to pursue STEM degrees has declined from 32% to 27%
over the past several years.
Algebra: The Gateway to College
• The probability that a student will ENROLL in a 4year college correlates substantially with
completion of one high school mathematics
course beyond Algebra 2
• Students who complete Algebra 2 are more than
twice as likely to GRADUATE from college as
those who do not
Algebra & Science:
Leveling the Playing Field
According to research, the overall achievement
gap among students of differing ethnic and
socioeconomic groups can be significantly
reduced or even eliminated if low-income and
minority students increase their success in high
school mathematics and science courses.
So HOW Are We Doing?
• 78% of adults cannot compute interest on a loan
• 71% of adults cannot calculate miles per gallon
on a trip
• 58% of adults cannot calculate a 10% tip
• 27% of 8th graders cannot correctly shade 1/3rd of
a rectangle
• Half of all 17 year olds cannot read or do math at
the level needed to get a job at a modern
automobile plant.
So WHAT Are We Doing?
• Funding:
– $57 million over the biennium to improve high school
graduation and post-secondary readiness
– $50 million over the biennium to serve students at-risk
of dropping out
• Strategic Direction:
– Strategic Plan developed by a high-level High School
Completion and Success Initiative Council designed to
improve high school completion and college readiness
rates
Creating Model Programs
• T-STEM ACADEMIES
• In 2008, 38 of these rigorous learning
academies, focused on at-risk students in
high need areas.
• These academies are designed to prepare
students to succeed in college and careers in the
fields of:
– Science
– Technology
– Engineering
– Math
Creating Model Programs
T-STEM ACADEMIES
T-STEM academies also are designed to serve as
demonstration schools and learning labs to
develop innovative methods to improve science
and math instruction statewide. T-STEM
academies are encouraged to work closely with
feeder middle schools and institutes of higher
education.
On-Going Initiatives
Math Instructional Coaches Pilot
• Districts receive grants to purchase math coaching
services from approved service providers
• Approved math coaches will provide content
knowledge and instructional strategies to middle &
high school math teachers
• To be eligible to receive grant funds, districts must
have characteristics correlated to high dropout rates
On-Going Initiatives
Math Instructional Coaches Pilot
• Eligible service providers include:
– Institutions of higher education;
– T-STEM centers;
– Regional education service centers; or
– Private organizations with significant experience
• To be designated as an approved service provider,
one must demonstrate significant past success in
improving math instruction
On-Going Initiatives
Math Instructional Coaches Pilot Status Report:
Cycle 1
– 29 grantees totaling $4.7 M
Cycle 2
– $ 4 M available
– RFA closes December 4, 2008
– 20 Approved Service Providers, including
some IHEs
On-Going Initiatives
Math, Science and Tech Teacher Prep Academies
• Grants awarded to improve instructional skills of
existing teachers and those seeking to become
teachers
• Funds used by the Coordinating Board to establish
academies at institutions of higher learning
On-Going Initiatives
Intensive Summer Programs
1) To prepare students at risk of failing college
• • Eligibility: institutes of higher education (IHE)
Intensive instruction in math, science, and English language arts
2) To prepare students at risk of failing to graduate from high
school
• • Eligibility: districts in partnership with an IHE
Intensive instruction in math, science, and English language arts
3) To prepare students at risk of failing to transition successfully to
high school
• • Eligibility: districts in partnership with an IHE
Intensive instruction in math and reading for students in grades 6-8
On-Going Initiatives
Intensive Summer Programs Status
Report:
• Cycle 1
– 29 grantees at $ 4 M
• Cycle 2
– RFA posted October 20, 2008
• Summer programs will be implemented
during the summers of 2009 and 2010
On-Going Initiatives
• UTEACH (T-STEM Pre-Service Teacher Prep)
– Goals
• To develop up to four math/science teacher
preparation programs at universities throughout the
state that recruit math and/or science majors to
become teachers and integrate the rigorous core
content curriculum with effective teaching
techniques, field experience and teacher
certification in a four year program
• To increase the number of highly qualified math and
science teachers in high need areas of the state.
On-Going Initiatives
UTEACH Status Report:
Replication Sites
• The University of Houston
• The University of North Texas
• The University of Texas at Dallas
Funding
• $2.3 M already
• $ 1.5 M additional available for 2-3 additional
sites
On-Going Initiatives
• T-STEM Robotics Program:
– Establishment of competitive robotics teams in TSTEM Academies and select Early College High
Schools in Texas
– Goals of the Competitive Robotics Program for low
income and minority student participants:
• Increased interest in science and technology
• Increased rate of graduation
• Increased enrollment in college and study in science-related
fields
• Increased numbers of apprenticeships, internships, or co-op
jobs in freshman year of college
On-Going Initiatives
T-STEM Robotics Program Status
Report:
– $950,000 awarded to Communities
Foundation of Texas (CFT)
– CFT distributed grants to 40 schools
On-Going Initiatives
Developing and Implementing College Readiness
Standards (CRS)
• The Texas Higher Ed. Coordinating Board and TEA worked
collaboratively to convene vertical teams, comprised of secondary
and postsecondary subject experts, to develop CRS
• 3 Phases of Work
• Phase I: Developing the College Readiness Teams
– Teams of 10 in each core subject–English, Math, Science, and
Social Studies
– 40% Public Education & 60% Higher Education
– 2 co-chairs — one from each sector
On-Going Initiatives
Phase II: College Readiness Alignment
• Teams representing each core subject—English, Math,
Science, and Social Studies
• 60% Public Education
• 40% Higher Education
• 2 co-chairs — one from each sector
• Evaluate whether HS curriculum requirements (TEKS)
prepare students for college-level course work
• Recommend how HS curriculum can be aligned to CRS
 Mathematics Vertical Team Gap Analysis, July 2008
 Science Vertical Team Gap Analysis, October 2008
On-Going Initiatives
Phase III: College Readiness
Instructional Assistance
• Develop instructional strategies to help prepare
students for college-level work.
• Develop curricula, professional development
materials, and online support materials for
students who need additional assistance in
preparing to successfully perform college-level
work.
On-Going Initiatives
Implementing College Readiness Standards
(CRS)
• CRS Regional Meetings to be held at 14 sites
around state
• For information, go to http://www.epiconline.org/
crs_regional_meetings/
• or call 1-800-766-2279
Mathematics and Science
America’s New Literacy Challenge
Questions?
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jan Lindsey
Sr. Director of College and Career Readiness
Initiatives
Texas Education Agency
512-936-2283
jan.lindsey@tea.state.tx.us