Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Academies

Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Academies

“Getting Started”

T-STEM Cycle 5 Technical Assistance Session

September 2009

All students: College Ready, Career Ready, Life Ready!

Agenda

Greetings and Introductions

Overview of Texas High School Project and T-STEM

Initiative

RFA Overview

Questions


THSP and T-STEMwww.thsp.org


Introductions

Communities Foundation of Texas (THSP) Dee Chambliss, Program Officer for T-STEM Academies Reo D. Pruiett, Program Officer for T-STEM Academies Joe Ferrara, Associate Program Officer, T-STEM

Texas Education Agency Stacy Avery, Program Manager

College and Career Readiness Initiatives: Texas Education Agency


THSP -T-STEM Academies

Learn more by visiting the T-STEM webpage, which includes Academy and Center profiles and a video overview.(thsp.org/initiatives/t_stem)


Why Change High Schools?

“The American High School is Obsolete”

– Bill Gates to National Governor’s Association

February 2005


Why change high schools?

Source: Texas Education Agency

Graduation Rates: Class of 2008


Disparities in Performance

TAKS Exit Level Passing Rates - 2008



College-readiness

English/LA Math

All students 57% 56%

African-American

45% 38%

Hispanic 47% 46%

White 68% 63%

Percent of Texas students meeting standards for higher education readiness 2008



THSP MissionAll Texas high school students will have the opportunity to achieve their highest educational potential and promote state competitiveness in the 21st Century.

VisionAll Texas high school students will graduate:

College Ready.

Career Ready.

Life Ready.


THSP Program Areas Creating new models and support structures

Early College High Schools New Schools and Charter Schools Redesigned High schools School District Engagement Educational Leadership Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics (T-STEM) Academies, Centers and Network


T-STEM Initiative

T-STEM Academies T-STEM Centers Network Learning Community Leadership


46 Academies 23 Charter Academies 23 ISD Academies

Configurations Grades 9-12 (17) Grades 6-12 (29) Including (5) T-STEM

ECHS 4 New Tech High

schools

2006-2007 7

2007-2008

22

2008-2009 38

2009-2010 46

05

101520253035404550

Annual Growth

Focus Areas

•Economically disadvantaged students

•First generation college students

•English-Language Learners

T-STEM Academies


T-STEM AcademiesPanhandleNew Deal ISDHarmony Science-Lubbock

WestBurnham Wood –Da Vinci – El PasoHarmony Science El PasoEl Paso ISD/El Paso CCYsleta ISD – Parkland Academy

EastAldine ISD – Carver HSYES Prep SEHarmony School of ExcellenceKIPP HoustonHarmony Science- BeaumontHarmony Science – HoustonLongview ISD – Longview GlobalFruitvale ISDGalveston ISD – Ball HSHarmony School of ScienceEnergized for Excellence – HISDEnergized for Excellence- E-STEM West

CentralWaco ISD – AJ MooreTexas BioSci - Temple CollegeManor ISDRapoport - WacoHarmony Science - WacoHarmony Science – AustinAustin ISD – Eastside Green Tech High

NorthIrving Academy Harmony Science-Fort WorthWaxahachie ISD – Waxahachie GlobalDallas ISD - Conrad HSHarmony Science –DallasRichardson ISD – Berkner HSPeak Academy-Williams PrepCarrollton-Farmers Branch ISD - METSAHarmony Science – Grand PrairieTexarkana ISD – Texarkana T-STEM AcademyAbilene ISD – Abilene T-STEM New Tech High

Early Innovators

2006 Academies

2007 Academies

2008 Academies

2009 Academies

T-STEM Centers

SouthHarmony Science –San AntonioNorth East ISD – Lee HS/Nimitz MSCorpus Christi ISD – Innovative AcademyIDEA Academy – San BenitoIDEA Academy -MissionLa Sara ISDValley View ISDSchool of Excellence – San AntonioHarmony Science – LaredoHarmony Science – BrownsvillePharr San-Juan Alamo/South Texas CollegeIDEA Academy – San JuanFreer ISD – Freer T-STEM Academy


Why T-STEM? Economic Development & Competitiveness

Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations projected through 2010, 15 of them require substantial mathematics or science preparation.

Student Achievement and School Performance On the TIMSS, U.S. 8th graders were out

performed by 7 of the 13 other countries in mathematics and 5 of the 13 other countries in science.

Most common reasons Texas campuses were Academically Unacceptable

Failure to meet the TAKS math and science standards

Most common reason campuses failed to meet AYP involves failure to meet math performance standards.

Advanced Tech & Manufacturing

Energy

Aerospace & Defense

Biotech & Life Sciences

Information & Computer Tech

Petroleum Refining & Chemical

Products


Texas’ Six Target Industry Clusters

Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing Nanotechnologies and materials Micro-electro-mechanical systems Semiconductor manufacturing Automotive manufacturing

Aerospace and Defense

Biotechnology and Life Sciences

Information and Computer Technology Communications Equipment Computing Equipment Information Technology

Energy Oil and gas production Power generation and transmission Renewable / Sustainable energy sources

Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products


What is STEM Education?

Teaching and learning strategies challenge students to innovate and invent

Model real world contexts for learning and work

Integrate math, science, and technology with other subject areas

The design process drives student engagement


Attributes of a STEM Student

• Problem-solvers

• Innovators

• Self-reliant

• Logical thinkers

• Technologically literate

• Sense of identity


STEM Academy Design and CFT-THSP Technical Support


Academy Mission

The mission of the T-STEM Academies is to provide a rigorous, well-rounded, education with outstanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction to graduate students who are prepared to pursue postsecondary level coursework and careers in STEM and to act as demonstration sites to inform best practice in STEM teaching and learning.


Academy Program Goals

The program goals for the T-STEM Academies –Start-up Grant Cycle 5 are to:

Align high school, postsecondary education, and economic development activities across the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and the broader high school curriculum.

Establish T-STEM Academies in areas of high need across the state that will produce Texas high school graduates from diverse backgrounds with the preparation to pursue careers in fields related to science, technology engineering, and mathematics.

Establish a statewide best-practices, network for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to promote broad dissemination and adoption of promising practices from the initiative and to improve mathematics and science performance for students across Texas.


Academy Goals

The T-STEM Academies are committed to meeting the following three goals through the design and implementation of a T-STEM Academy Blueprint.

Goal 1: T-STEM Academies will develop the capacity of schools to design, implement, sustain and/or replicate successful school development models.

Goal 2: T-STEM Academies will transform instructional practice to model real world contexts for learning to improve student achievement for all students.

Goal 3: T-STEM Academies will serve as demonstration sites to inform STEM teaching and learning statewide.


THSP Technical Assistance

Academy Design Blueprint Design Tools:• Details school development progress across eight primary areas.

(Blueprint)• Provides indicators for continuous progress. (Continuum)• Common tool enable schools to benchmark their work against

others for shared learning. (Progress Report)

T-STEM Innovation Coach Framework and Innovation Coaches

• Details Monthly visits to Academies, needs assessment; site visit reports

• Coaching on leadership, school development, and data-driven decision making face-to-face, by phone, by email

• T-STEM coaches network resources to further the success of the Academies


THSP Technical Assistance

T-STEM Professional Development Target conferences focused on high impact strategies in

Math, Science and STEM education

T-STEM Innovation Networking Online and face-to-face convenings, professional

development opportunities, resources, showcase exemplars of practice, etc.


7 T-STEM Centers

PanhandleTexas Tech T-STEM Texas Tech Lubbock ISD ESC Regions 14 -18

WestEl Paso T-STEM UT El Paso 12 El Paso area school districts Region 19

South

El Centro del Futuro • Region One (partnering w/)• UT Pan Am • 13 school districts, and the • UT Dana Center

East

East Texas STEM UT Tyler TX A&M Texarkana ESC Regions 5-8 & 6 ISDs in NE Texas

Southeast Regional STEM UT Medical Branch Rice Texas State NASA ESC Regions 3-5 Houston Museum of Natural Sci 9 ISDs (including Houston, Galveston, Cypress Fairbanks)

CentralTransformation 2013 Region 13 in Austin (partnering

w/) ESC Region 20 in San Antonio UT Austin College of Engineering San Antonio ISD Taylor ISD

Dana Center at UT Austin Providing support to centers and

academies, as well as other schools across Texas

NorthNorth Texas STEM Texas A&M Dallas ISD ESC Region 10

Centers


T-STEM Academy Blueprint Part II – Appendix 1 p.33 The T-STEM Academy program requirements have been benchmarked against

national best practices in school development. These benchmarks are used as inputs into the design and development stages of the school.

The Academy uses blueprint as a guidepost to develop an implementation plan for building a school infrastructure that reflects high and consistent learning expectations and performance standards for all students as measured by internal and external measurement tools.

The design blueprint implementation plan reflects a consensus among staff and key stakeholders on how the Academy helps diverse learners build the requisite skills and strategies to become highly functioning STEM-literate graduates.

The Academy is clear about the specific skills that must be addressed that are essential to STEM literacy skills, i.e., the types of skills necessary to meet demands of advanced high school coursework, higher education, the world of work, and lifelong learning.


T-STEM Academy BlueprintWhat is the basis of the school design? The academy design is solid school development Blueprint Benchmarks:

Mission-Driven Leadership School Culture and Design Student Outreach/Recruitment, Selection/Retention Teacher-Leader Selection, Development/Retention Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Strategic Alliances Academy Advancement and Sustainability



RFA Overview(secure the application)


Eligibility Criteria – District Requirements Part II p. 5 of 25

A Texas school district or open enrollment charter is eligible to apply for the T-STEM Academies – Start-up Cycle 5 Grant if the school district or open enrollment charter school:

Targets and enrolls a majority (at least 50%) of students who are at risk of dropping out of school (at risk, economically disadvantaged, English language –learners, and/or first generation college-goers).

Special consideration and priority given to districts/charter schools that serve a population of greater than 40% economically disadvantaged students (calculated as an average over each of the three preceding school years – 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09).

Eligible school districts or open enrollment charter schools must submit a separate application for each planned academy.


Eligibility Criteria – Campus RequirementsSchool District or open-enrollment charter school must also

demonstrate a commitment to design a program that meets all T-STEM requirements. An Academy must

Be an autonomous school that is either: A stand-alone campus with a unique CDC number or A small learning community with in a larger school (where the

T-STEM Academy is physically separated from the larger school and the T-STEM students are a separate cohort with their own teachers (s), leaders, scheduled and curriculum);

Serve Grades 6-12 or Grades 9-12 with an active relationship with the feeder middle school(s)

For 9-12 models – Academies must serve grade 9 in year 1 For 6-12 models – Academies must serve a middle grade and grade 9 in year

1;

Be small, serving approximately 100 students per grade;

Be open enrollment, hosting lotteries for admission;


Additional Eligibility Criteria

Follow all requirements and indicators outlined in T-STEM Academies Start-up Grant Cycle 5 RFA and in the T-STEM Academy Design Blueprint (RFA Part 2: Program Guidelines – Appendix 1).

Demonstrate how all requirements defined in the RFA for opening a T-STEM Academy will be met no later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.

A district or open enrollment charter applying for this grant must be financially viable as determined through fiscal review by the Division of Financial Audits at TEA.

An open enrollment charter school applying for this grant must submit current proof of nonprofit status with the application. (part II, page 6

An open enrollment charter school applying for this grant must have the proper approved amendment request to the open enrollment charter from the commissioner. (part II: p 7 of 45)


Additional Eligibility Criteria An open enrollment charter campus shall become ineligible for grant

funding (or if a campus has applied for and received funding for this grant, will have its grant funding placed on hold) if the commissioner notifies the campus’ charter holder of the commissioner’s intent to: revoke or non-renew such charter under TEC Chapter 12, or close the campus under TEC Chapter 39, for any of the reasons set

forth in either statutory provision.

A consortium of eligible school districts may not submit an application for a T-STEM Academy as a shared services arrangement. The application must be submitted by one eligible school district or open enrollment charter school on behalf of a campus within that district. A T-STEM academy may enroll students from neighboring districts, as long as the district enrolling those students receives Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding for those students.


Additional Eligibility Criteria

Applicants that are currently or have previously received grants through the Texas High School Project (THSP) for any of the following programs must be in compliance with all grant requirements and must be in good standing with an existing grant as well as demonstrate capacity to support this grant: Early College High School; High School Redesign and Restructuring; Redesigned High School; T-STEM Academy.

A campus that fails to meet one or more of the T-STEM Academy eligibility requirements by the end of Phase I: Planning Phase will not receive funding for Phase II: Implementation Phase under this grant program. The grant will be terminated. No exceptions will be made to this policy. Part II – page 6 of 45


Application Due Date

Six complete applications must be received at TEA on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009 , according to the application submission procedures in Part 1 of the RFA.

TEA will not accept nor consider for funding any late competitive applications for any reason.

TEA accepts no responsibility for delays in mail, shipping, and courier service. (Part 1 – pp 7-8, RFA)


Other Important DatesDate Event

October 9, 2009 Notice of Intent to Apply due to TEA DCC

October 22, 2009 Applicants’ Conference/TETN (10 a.m. – 12 noon) Event #5761

November 5, 2009 Applications due to TEA Document Control Center

(5 pm CST)

Begins Week of

December 7, 2009

Oral Interviews in Austin, TX

March 1, 2010 Beginning date of Project – Phase I - Planning

May 28, 2010 Implementation Proposals Due (see Project Period)

July 1, 2010 Beginning date of Phase II: Implementation


More Important Dates

Date Event

May 31, 2012 Ending Date of Project

June 30, 2012 Final Expenditure Report due to TEA

June 30, 2012 Final Evaluation Report due to TEA


Program Purpose

The purpose of the T-STEM Academies – Startup, Cycle 5 grant is to increase student achievement by:

engaging and exposing students to innovative science and math instruction, and

creating demonstration sites to inform math and science teaching and learning statewide.

To that end, every academy will: provide a rigorous, well-rounded education; establish a personalized culture with the expectation that all

students will achieve postsecondary success; and provide teacher and leadership development.


Program Goals

Align high school, postsecondary education, and economic development activities across the areas of STEM and the broader high school curriculum;

Establish T-STEM academies in areas of high need across the state that will produce Texas high school graduates from diverse backgrounds with the preparation to pursue careers in STEM related fields; and

Establish a statewide best practices network for STEM education to promote broad dissemination and adoption of promising practices from the initiative and to improve math and science performance for students across Texas.


Program Description

A school district or open enrollment charter school receiving grant funds will plan during the 2009-2010 school year and will open a T-STEM academy no later than August of 2010.

Funding will be dispersed in two phases: Planning and Implementation.

All academies will use the Design Blueprint to guide planning and implementation.


Statutory Requirement

Rider 53, Texas High School Completion and Success Initiative, requires that funds be expended on programs that support the improvement of high school graduation rates and post-secondary readiness.

See Part II, p 15 of 45 See Schedule #6F)


TEA Program Requirement #1Part II page 15

1. The T-STEM Academy must be small, serving approximately 100 students per grade. Must present a plan to eventually serve either grades 6-12 or 9-12. If serving grades 6-12, must plan to open with a middle level grade and

grade 9. The plan should include adding at least two grade levels per year.

If serving grades 9-12, must plan to open with grade 9 and add at least one grade level per year. Must develop a plan to work actively with the feeder middle school(s).

Align curriculum to insure students who are low income, from underrepresented student groups, at risk, and/or first time college-goers have opportunity to attend and succeed.


Program Requirement #2

2. The T-STEM Academy must be open enrollment, hosting lotteries for admission. Must target students who are low income, from

underrepresented student groups, at-risk, and/or first generation college-goers.

Must result in a student population of greater than 40% economically disadvantaged students.

Must outline a plan for recruiting, selecting, supporting, and retaining high need and underrepresented students.

May not select students based on ability, grades, test scores, or teacher recommendations.



3. The T-STEM Academy must be an autonomous school that is either

A stand alone campus with a unique CDC number or

A small learning community on an existing campus where the Academy is physically separated from the larger school and the T-STEM students are a separate cohort with their own teacher(s), leader, schedule, and curriculum.



4. The T-STEM Academy must use the T-STEM Academy Design Blueprint as a planning and evaluation tool.

If the T-STEM Academy is not making adequate progress towards the full implementation of all of the Design Blueprint Indicators as determined by TEA, the academy may not receive implementation or continuation funds.



5. T-STEM Academies must offer a rigorous, well-rounded course of study for all students, including: Incorporation of the College Readiness Standards in the core

curriculum Alignment of all curriculum, instruction and assessment to state

standards, supporting the success of all students to take and pass four years of high school math and four years of high school science

Tight technology infrastructure plan for technology use across the disciplines

Opportunity for each student to acquire a minimum of 12 – 30 hours of college credit through dual credit, AP, or IB courses

Participation in curricular academic activities centered on applied science, technology, engineering and math, such as UIL competitions (robotics, math) or science and technology fairs.



6. A T-STEM Academy must reflect today’s postsecondary learning and work environment by: Incorporating project and work-based, contextual learning with a

global perspective into the curriculum Integrating technology into all aspects of the school culture,

including the school curriculum, co-curriculum and daily operation

Creating and using applied and team learning Providing opportunities for alignment with the state’s economic

development clusters and for students to seriously consider careers in STEM fields (such as teacher externships, student internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, service learning, or capstone projects with a presentation and a defense).


Program Requirement #77. A T-STEM Academy must provide teacher, school

leadership, and school development by: Providing new teachers with support and guidance through teacher mentoring and

induction programs Implementing a math and science teacher coaching-based professional development

model Bringing together math and science high school teachers, higher education faculty,

and private businesses Requiring weekly common planning time for STEM content teachers and providing

training to ensure common planning time is well utilized Serving as a math and science demonstration site as proof points for improved

practices Disseminating T-STEM outreach to middle schools and the greater district or CMO Requiring external networking opportunities for teachers Requiring school leadership participation in the T-STEM Academy Coaching

model Creating a distributive decision-making structure that is clear and understood by the

following stakeholders: students, teachers, academy design team, parent-community, business, community partners and institutions of higher education partners. (Part II: p.17 of 45)



8. Applicants must incorporate into their grant application a description of all activities to be conducted with funds from this grant program and the program requirements listed in this RFA.

Submission of the application will indicate the superintendent’s approval of the T-STEM Academy design and an agreement to provide technical assistance, evaluation data, and flexibility to the participating campus.



9. The LEA must identify how other resources (federal, state, local, and private) available to the school will be utilized to coordinate services to support and sustain the T-STEM Academy. Applicants must provide documentation that the district will provide a 10% or greater match of the total grant award.


Program Assurances Part II, p. 17 -18

1. The T-STEM Academies – Startup, Cycle 5 grant requires that campuses receiving funding under this grant participate in the technical assistance and the T-STEM Network activities conducted by the Communities Foundation of Texas. Campuses that fail to participate in the technical assistance and/or network activities may become ineligible for implementation and/or continuation funds.

2. All entities receiving funding as part of the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Initiative must follow the communication guidelines set forth by the Texas High School Project, including guidelines regarding the content and format of school web sites.


Program Assurances Part II, p. 17 -18

3. Applicants selected for funding must have on file a P-16 strategic plan. This plan is NOT a required attachment to the T-STEM Academy application, but must be developed and on file.

Visit Texas P-16 website for more information: www.p16texas.org

By signing Schedule #1 and submitting the application, the applicant provides assurance that it will complete a P-16 plan and keep it on file.


Program-Related Attachments

Signed letter from district superintendent or head of charter organization on the organization’s letterhead, stating the ISD or charter’s commitment to providing the academy with the autonomy necessary to successfully implement all the grant program requirements.It is strongly suggested that the letter be attached with the

submitted application. If not submitted with the application, the letter MUST be on file BEFORE an applicant can be scheduled for an interview. If submitted after the application deadline three copies of the letter must be sent to the program contact.


Program-Related Attachments – Content of Letter (Part II p.18 of 45)

The T-STEM Academy must be an autonomous school serving grades 6-12 or 9-12 located within a larger school or on an independent campus. The academy must demonstrate its autonomy by: Having a certified, full-time administrator whose primary duty is

administration of the academy with the same authority and reporting structure as other campus principals of larger high schools in the school district

Assuring that the Academy leader will have access to a proportional share of the budget for items associated with the operations within shared resources (e.g. facilities, shared human resources) and will have decision-making authority over a proportionate share of discretionary funds for the campus appropriate to the number of students served by the Academy.


Program-Related Attachments – Content of Letter continued (Part II p.18 of 45)

Assuring that the school leader will have full access to T-STEM funding, as well as the authority to make decision regarding expenditure for the T-STEM program.

Assuring that the Academy will have a physical space dedicated to the T-STEM program, but it may share resources where appropriate (e.g. library, P.E. facilities).

Assuring that the school leader will follow district requirements as a baseline for decisions about curriculum and instruction but will have reasonable flexibility to innovate if district student performance targets are met.


Program-Related Attachments – Content of Letter (Part II p.18 of 45)

Assuring the school leader still have reasonable flexibility with the academy calendar (daily, weekly, yearly).

Assuring that the district will allow the T-STEM Academy additional time and flexibility to attend T-STEM specific professional development in additional to district-scheduled professional development.

Assuring that once an Academy (with a school-within-a -school configuration) has opened and is operating successfully, the district will consider converting it to an autonomous, stand-alone campus with a unique AskTED campus ID number (if it does not already have one).


Program –Related Documents Required if Selected for Funding Part II p 19

1. Applicants selected to receive grant funding must develop an MOU with an institution of higher education (IHE). The MOU must describe how the applicant and the IHE will partner to deliver college credit hours to academy students, provide teacher professional development, and align academy curriculum with postsecondary requirements for STEM coursework.

2. Applicants selected to receive grant funding must develop an MOU with at least one of the seven T-STEM Centers. The Academy must collaborate with the center(s) to identify services to be provided by the T-STEM Center(d). Services may include but not limited to PD, instructional coaching, instructional materials development, and technical assistance.

These are required only if selected for funding. They do not have to be attached to the application.


Program Evaluation and PerformancePart II p. 19-23

The applicant must agree to comply with any reporting and evaluation requirements that may be established by the TEA. TEA will collect and analyze data from PIEMS where possible.

Applicants must agree to cooperate with any information and data gathering requirements pursuant to the evaluation of the grant program by TEA – to determine if the program has met its stated goals and achieved desired results based on performance targets established by the grantee.


Program Evaluation and Peformance Measures Part II, p.19-23

TEA may collect campus-, district-, and student-specific information and data for evaluation purposes. Information that may be collected is identified in Part II, pg. 20 of 45.

Submission of grant application indicates agreement to comply with any evaluation requirements that TEA may establish (including those conducted by external evaluators). TEA may contract with an external evaluator to conduct quantitative and/or qualitative evaluations of the grant program. Grantees may be selected for site visits or observations, or may be asked to participate in surveys, interviews, or focus groups.


Program Evaluation and Performance Measures Part II p. 19-23

TEA may collect information regarding staffing patterns, campus scheduling, etc. Applicants must agree that they will cooperate with any information and data gathering requirements pursuant to TEA’s evaluation of the grant program.

Grantee must provide required interim reports and a final evaluation report within 30 days after the end of each reporting period.

Performance Measures The T-STEM Academies will set high expectations across a broad range

of performance measures and will become some of the highest performing campuses in the state. See page 21 of Part II for a list of performance measures.


Available Funding

Part II p 25-28

Approximately $3,000,000 is available for funding the T-STEM Academies Start-up, Cycle 5 grants during the March 1, 2010 through May 31, 2012 project period.

Applicants are eligible to apply for up to $1,200 per student for the projected capacity enrollment of the planned academy.


Funding Formula Part II p.25 of 45

Applicants proposing to serve grades 6-12 are eligible for a maximum amount of $840,000, and applicants proposing to serve grades 9-12 are eligible for a maximum amount of $480,000.

Grades 6-12 (700 students [i.e., 7 grades at 100 students per grade] x $1,200.00 = $840,000)

Grades 9-12 (400 students [i.e., 4 grades at 100 students per grade] x $1,200.00 = $480,000)

See Part II p.25 of 45 for schedule for fund release.


Phase I: Planning-March 1, 2010 - June 30, 2010 Part II p.23School organizations awarded the Start-up grants are eligible to

receive up to $80,000 per academy funded during the planning phase. These funds are intended to support: staff compensation for the person who will complete the

implementation proposal during the planning phase, curriculum planning and development, travel to visit exemplars and best practice schools, and materials and supplies for planning

Grant amendments must be submitted if changes are made to the budget and/or narrative of the grant during this time.

If a grantee fails to meet one or more eligibility requirements by the end of Phase I, implementation funds will not be released. The grant will be terminated.


Phase II: Implementation July 1, 2010 thru May 31, 2012 Part II pp. 24-25

Upon receipt of an implementation proposal and grant amendment that meets the expectations of TEA, each academy will have access to the remaining funding amount to open a T-STEM Academy in August of 2010. Implementation funds are intended to primarily support: professional development, staff positions that could not otherwise be funded, materials and supplies, and technology

Academies must have a plan to scale up – adding at least one grade level per year in 9-12 academies and at least 2 grade levels per year for 6-12 academies.


Use of Grant Funds (Part II pp 26-27)

The authorizing statute permits expenditures for post-award planning, design, and implementation of programs to improve high school completion and success and encourage students toward postsecondary education and training.

Funds expended under this grant program should be used for costs associated with implementing a T-STEM Academy that is research-based and includes components focused on:

1. improving student performance, 2. exposing and engaging students in innovative math and science instruction, 3. instituting a rigorous curriculum for all students,4. redesigning structural and management practices, 5. developing the skills and knowledge of teachers and school leaders, 6. involving parents and the community, and 7. establishing a long-term plan for sustaining the T-STEM Academy.


Use of Grant Funds

Funds expended through this project must be used for those purposes described in the Program Goals, Program Description, and Program Requirements sections of these guidelines.

Funds shall not be obligated for expenditure before the effective date of the application or after the ending date of the program.

Applicants may elect to use additional resources and other sources of financial support to help maximize the effectiveness of the project goals and objectives. Applicants are strongly encouraged to coordinate federal, state, and local programs to eliminate duplication of resources.

TEA limits the amount of funds that may be budgeted to administer the program to no more than 5% of the total grant awarded for the project period. Indirect costs are not allowable under this grant.


Use of Grant Funds

Budget schedules must show evidence that: project costs are reasonable in relation to expected outcomes:

the amount requested might realistically be expected to have an impact on the stated needs and

the expected outcomes are sufficient to justify the amounts requested the program will identify and coordinate funding from several sources all expenditures are pertinent to and appropriate for the

objectives/activities stated

Grant funds may not be used for gifts, non-STEM related field trips, payment to a student who has not graduated for services as a tutor or mentor, purchase of furniture, grant writing, food costs, construction, renovation, fundraising, lease-purchases or indirect costs (See Part II pp. 26-27)


Match Requirement (Part II, pp. 27-28)

Applicants must demonstrate at least a 10% match of funding for grant activities

Matching funds must be used for costs that are allowable under this grant

Federal funds may not be used to meet the matching requirement

Applicants must indicate match in the appropriate columns in the application Does not need to be in same class/object codes where grant funds are

budgeted

Records of match must be kept by business office in the same manner and for the same time period as grant funds


Supplement, Not Supplant (Part II, p. 28)

Funds for this program must be used to supplement (increase the level of services) and not supplant (replace) funds from nonfederal sources.

Any program activity required by state law, State Board of Education rules, or local board policy may not be paid with these funds.

State or local funds may not be decreased or diverted for other uses merely because of the availability of these funds.

Grantees must maintain documentation which clearly demonstrates the supplementary nature of these funds.

Applicants must describe in the application on Schedule #4D how program funds will supplement and not supplant state mandates, SBOE rules, or activities previously conducted with state or local funds.


Activity, Progress, Evaluation & Expenditure Report Due Dates Part II pp 28-29

Report Reporting Period Due DateFirst Interim 03/01/10 – 5/30/10 06/15/10(Implementation Proposal)

Second Interim 06/01/10 – 12/31/10 01/15/11

Third Interim 01/01/11 – 6/30/11 07/15/11

Fourth Interim 07/01/11 – 12/31/11 01/15/12

Final Report 03/01/10 – 05/31/12 06/30/12


Application Review Process Part I, pp 8-11

Each application will be reviewed by an expert review panel using the review criteria outlined in Part 1 of the RFA.

Reviewers will evaluate applications based on the overall quality and validity of the proposed grant programs and the extent to which the applications address the primary objectives and intent of the project.

Applications must address each requirement as specified in the RFA to be considered for funding.

From the highest-ranking applications, TEA will select applicants to participate in oral interview sessions in Austin (Week of December 7, 2009).

In some cases only applications receiving 70% or a minimum percentage of points are funded.


Review Criteria for Competitive Grants ( See Part I- pp.9-11)

A. Need for the Proposed Project 15 pointsB. Quality of the Project Design 20 pointsC. Quality of Project Services 10 pointsD. Quality of Management Plan 20 pointsE. Quality of Project Evaluation 10 pointsF. Appropriateness of Budget 20 points

Application is organized and completed according to instructions 5 points

Total Possible 100 points


Additional Review Criteria – T-STEM

(Part II, pp 31-32)

G. Quality of the T-STEM Academy Design (100 Points)(1) The academy design plan adequately addresses all of the requirements

and indicators in the Academy Design Blueprint. (60 points) (2) The Academy has developed a plan that adequately addresses school-

wide access to technology and the integration of technology into all aspects of the academy culture, including the curriculum, teaching strategies and daily operation. (10 points)

(3) The local education agency (LEA) will provide the T-STEM academy with the autonomy, technical assistance, evaluation data, and flexibility necessary to ensure the success of the academy programs. (10 points)

(4) Performance targets reflect high expectations for student achievement results in math and science. (10 points)

(5) The local education agency (LEA) demonstrates previous success in improving the math and science achievement of economically disadvantaged, middle and/or high school students. (10 points)


Priorities for Funding (Part II, p 31)

A total of up to 20 priority points will be given to districts that serve student population of greater than 40% economically disadvantaged students: A district that serves a student population with 40-49%

economically disadvantaged students (calculated as an average over the preceding 3 years) will receive up to 10 priority points.

A district that served student population of 50% or more economically disadvantaged students (calculated as an average over the preceding 3 years) will received up to 20 priority points.


Maximum Points Available

Review Criteria for Competitive Grants – 100ptsReview Criteria for T-STEM Grant – 100ptsPriority Points - 20pts

Total Maximum Number of Points 220


Interview Process

The highest ranking applications will be selected to participate in an interview session with a review panel The week of December 7 in Austin Must participate in order to be considered for funding Bring design team members (including academy director if

known)

Final selection based on combination of application score and interview score


Application Schedules (Parts III –IV)

#1 - General Information

#4 - Program Requirements #4A - Executive Summary

#4B - Needs and Objectives Need Statement Target Population

#4C - Project Design Research and Rationale Mission-driven leadership School culture Student outreach,

recruitment, selection, retention

Teacher/leader selection, development, retention

Curriculum Instructional model Strategic alliances &

planning

Reminder: Use Part III (pp 1-89) as the guide to address all of the components of the SAS (Part IV).


Application Schedules – cont. #4D - Project Services

Support Services Organizational Capacity Technology Infrastructure Autonomy

#4E - Project Management Component Management Activity Timeline

#4F - Performance Assessment and Evaluation Component Description Performance Targets

#5 - Budget Schedules


Attachments Reminder Part II pp 18-19

Required Attachments to Application Nonprofit Organizations only

Proof of nonprofit status Indicators of financial stability

Other Documents Required Letter from superintendent – should be attached to application unless the

decision is made to provide 3 copies to program contact PRIOR to interviews being scheduled Should describe the organization’s commitment to creating a new

autonomous school MOU with IHE –required but due only if grantee has been awarded funding

MOU with STEM Center – required but due only if grantee has been awarded funding


Application Tips

Pay attention to scoring criteria (Part I, pp.9-11, and Part II, pp 31-32) Address all program requirements (Part II, pp15-18)

Read ALL Application Instructions (Part III)

Fill out all schedules, address Rider 51, follow all formatting requirements -font, space limit, etc. (Part 4)

Use the Design Blueprint as guide (Part II, p. 33)

Don’t forget to include all Required Attachments (Part II, pp 18-19)

Submit names of potential reviewers – online form – see Grants site

Submit notice of Intent – pages iii of ix

Use checklists – pages iv -v


Grant Update Information

You are responsible for periodically checking the TEA DISCRETIONARY GRANTS website for postings of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Additional/Clarifying Information, or Errata Notices that pertain to this RFA.

Errata Notice 1 has been posted.

http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/


Questions?


Questions and Clarifying Information

Submit additional questions in writing to TEA personnel via email or my mail by

October 12 - (to be addressed during TETN session 10/22October 20 - (to be included in the FAQ’s)

Program Contact

Stacy Avery, T-STEM Manager

[email protected]

College and Career Readiness Initiatives, Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Ph: 512.463.8211 Fax: 512.463.4246

Funding Contact

Donnell Bilsky, Grants Manager

[email protected]

Division of Discretionary Grants, Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Ph. 512.463.9269 Fax: 512.463.9811


www.thsp.org