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Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Initiative (T-STEM)

Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) Academies are rigorous secondary schools focusing on improving instruction and academic performance in science and mathematics-related subjects and increasing the number of students who study and enter STEM careers. T-STEM Academies are demonstration schools and learning labs that develop innovative methods to improve science and mathematics instructions.

Prior to the 2011-2012 school year, the only path to becoming a T-STEM Academy was a T-STEM Academy grant through the Texas Education Agency or one of the private partners in the Texas High School Project.

Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, a second pathway was created. Campuses, using local or other sources of funding, that are implementing the T-STEM Design Blueprint with fidelity may apply to be designated as a T-STEM Academy. T-STEM campuses are designated based on a rigorous designation process. Once a campus is designated, professional development and technical assistance are provided to designated T-STEM academies to serve as demonstration schools and learning labs to showcase innovative instruction methods which integrate technology and engineering into science and mathematics instruction. Designated T-STEM campuses serve students in grades 6-12 or 9-12.

(from the TEA website)

T-STEM Documents

BENCHMARK 1 – School Design

• • • • Annual training and Professional Development Calendar Plan for Teachers
      • Mentor/induction program plans
      • T-STEM leadership job description, roles of the design team, leadership TEAM, and advisory board

BENCHMARK 2 – Target Population

• • • • Written admission policy and enrollment application
      • Written recruitment plan including a timeline of recruitment and enrollment events, and recruitment materials for distribution at feeder schools and other appropriate locations in the community
      • Brochures and marketing in Spanish, English, and/or other relevant languages (s)
      • Written communication plan for targeting identified audiences, parents, community, members, school board, higher education personnel, etc.

BENCHMARK 3 – Strategic Alliances

• • • • Meeting agendas and minutes, with action items and decision logs
      • Final signed and executed MOU with IHE (Campuses must submit their final signed MOU to TEA when initially applying for designation or are provisionally designated)
      • Final signed and executed MOU with a business/industry partner (Campuses must submit their final signed MOU to TEA when initially applying for designation or are provisionally designated)
      • A list of strategic partners with each member’s organization, title, and role in providing work-based learning for students by grade level

BENCHMARK 4 – Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

• • • • Four-year crosswalk document
      • Master Schedule 18-19
      • Testing calendar and schedule for TSI, ACT, SAT or other assessment
      • Documentation detailing a minimum of three courses of study examples that outline student pathway from high school, to associate degree, to industry certifications and beyond
      • Curriculum alignment documents

BENCHMARK 5 – Work-Based Learning

• • • • Documentation of appropriate work-based learning experience for students at all grade levels
      • Current dated regional high demand occupation list
      • Aggregate data describing student participation in work-based learning experiences as well as the percentage of students earning industry certification and credentials by type
      • Samples of student artifacts such as writing, portfolios, presentations, or links to digital content

BENCHMARK 6 – Student Support

• • • • Bridge Program calendar and curricula
      • Tutoring and other intervention/remediation program schedules
      • Calendar of family outreach events
      • Schedule of regularly scheduled counseling/advisory events and records of completion for there support services