In its second year, the Texas-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) Academy (school within a school model) at Emmett J. Conrad High School in Dallas showed remarkable growth in all subject areas. In fact, more than half of the top 10 % of the graduating class of 2009 are STEM graduates, including both the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian.
The Academy opened in the 2007-2008 school year with 86 9th-graders, 58 10th-graders and 15 11th-graders. The Academy began the 2008-2009 school year with 112 9th-grade students, 70 10th-grade students, 72 11th-grade students and 26 12th-grade students. The T-STEM Academy specializes in problem/project-based learning and offers dual credit courses with the Dallas County Community College District.
Successful activities include:
- Summer internships
- Culture building activities
- Development of student leadership
- Participation in science and engineering events
Evidence of success in closing the achievement gap:
- 9th-grade Algebra 1 Scores – 95.9 % passing rate
- AP Enrollment 81.4% economically disadvantaged
- Enrollment
- 72.4% Hispanic
- 91 % African-American
2008 TAKS 9th Grade Conrad - STEM compared to school (non-STEM) and district scores
2008 TAKS -- All grade levels -- STEM, Conrad (non-STEM) and district
What Works
According to the Deborah Floyd, STEM Academy Project coordinator, the T-STEM Academy started as a small group with a common mission. With support form the Texas High School Project, the Academy was able to build a vision of a common purpose and work towards the goals of success and excellence. Components of the common purpose were:
- Professional Development
- Common Planning Time as a STEM Academy
- Goal Setting
- Challenging students to set personal goals
- Data Analysis
- Rigor
About the School:
- Enrollment: 1302
- 88.2% are economically disadvantaged
- 33.7% African-American
- 58.4% Hispanic
- 49.6% Limited English Proficient
- Texas High School Project web site: Conrad High School STEM Academy
- District: Dallas Independent School District
- Principal: Mary Fitzgibbon
- Superintendent: Dr. Michael Hinojosa
Texas-Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) program is a part of the division of College and Career Readiness located in the Department of State Initiatives.
Contact Information:
Department of State Initiatives
T-STEM Program Manager
Stacy Avery
512.936-6060