PurposeEligibilityPerformanceFunding InformationAwardsLaws and RulesContactsDepartment of State InitiativesDropout InformationThe Intensive Summer Programs (ISP) Pilot Program provides funding for intensive academic instruction during the summer semester to promote postsecondary success for middle school and high school students identified as being at risk of dropping out of school.
The ISP project must:
- Be research-based
- Provide intensive academic instruction in the targeted core subject areas
- Include mathematics and reading for students in grades 6–8
- Include mathematics, English Language Arts, and science for students in grades 9–12
- Provide at least 4 weeks and a minimum of 3 hours per day of instruction in the targeted core subject areas
- Be designed and implemented in partnership with an institute of higher education
- Use instructional materials adopted by the State Board of Education
- Serve a population that at least 50% of which is at risk of dropping out of school
In addition, a grantee:
- May not exceed more than $750 for each participating student
- Must provide at least $250 of match
The Texas Education Agency focuses state and federal resources on identifying and replicating proven strategies for dropout prevention and recovery. Intensive Summer Programs provide targeted academic support to address skill gaps and enrich the learning environment for students who are off track and struggling.
A public school district or open-enrollment charter school where either:
- In each of the preceding 3 years, 65% or more of students in grades 6-12 are identified as being economically disadvantaged
- One of the preceding 3 years, the grade 7-12 annual dropout rate was in the top 10% of districts of comparable size
- Cycle 1 participants: 29 school districts
- Cycle 2 participants: 19 school districts
- Total: 48 school districts
- Serving approximately 12,500 students
External Evaluation:
An external evaluation conducted by ICF International was published in February 2011. Findings indicate:
- Clear evidence of gains in student achievment --
Cycle 1 high school students met or exceeded TAKS Math standards and gains were statistically significant. - Gains in student achievement in TAKS Reading/ELA scores reached statistical significance for Cycle 1.
- The percentage of ISP students in Grade 11 viewed as college ready based on TAKS Math rose significantly from 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
Student Reported Outcomes:
Students reported that ISP helped them with several key outcomes including:
- Being promoted to the next grade level on time (83%)
- Graduating from school (82%)
- Getting better grades in school (72%)
- FY2008 - Cycle 1 (June 1, 2008 - December 1, 2009) - $3,936,250
- FY2009 - Cycle 2 (April 1, 2009 - October 31, 2010) - $3,868,545
- FY2010 - Cycle 1 Con't (April 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011) - $3,636,750
- No new funds appropriated in the FY2012-2013 biennium
Federal & State Education Policy
Program Manager: Nicole Chupka
512.936.6060