TEA joined with the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) in the Statewide Tools for Teaching Excellence (STTE) pilot project, which establishes comprehensive early warning data systems (EWDS) in five pilot school districts.
EWDS monitors student performance that is predictive of dropping out of school in order to identify students for whom early intervention with intensive support activities will place them back on track for graduation. Specifically, STTE enables districts to:
Identify and monitor leading and lagging indicators that predict the likelihood of dropping out,
Create a standardized reporting system to identify students at high risk of dropping out in order to intervene with support services,\
Build a data base of intervention strategies,
Create a research tool to implement, monitor, and assess the success of interventions used, and
Build a community of practitioners to expand and support performance management efforts.
The Texas Education Agency focuses state and federal resources on identifying and replicating proven strategies for dropout prevention and recovery. Research suggests that the effectiveness of dropout prevention programs depends on the extent to which students are identified early, their needs are determined, and appropriate services are provided to these students.
The seven districts originally selected by MSDF in April 2007 to participate in the STTE pilot were eligible to apply for TEA funding designed both to support the implementation of the EWDS as well as the intervention strategies to be used for students off track for graduation.
210 teachers
4,361 students served
Examples of Leading Indicators:
Daily attendance
Early reading readiness
Passing grades at interim periods
Teacher attendance
Enrollment in advanced courses
Demonstrated mastery of algebra concepts
Course failure
Evaluation activities for this grant are to be conducted by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. A formal evaluation of the program includes a cross-site evaluation with quantitative and qualitative measures of program outputs and outcomes.
FY2010 (May 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010) - $2,300,000
Pilot serving 32 campuses in five districts:
- Beaumont ISD
- Conroe ISD
- Galena Park ISD
- Lubbock ISD
- Northside ISD
General Appropriations Act,
Article III, Rider 53, 2007
Department of State Initiatives
Program Coordinator: Jennifer Jacob
512.936.6060