Texas Education Agency

1. Texas Education Agency

2. Good Housekeeping Restrooms Breaks Lunch Messages How to pose questions� Please use the note cards on your table to record your questions. All questions will be handled in a systematic fashion to capture and create a FAQ.

3. Introductions of THSP Team TEA Christi Martin Barbara Knaggs Robin Gelinas Karen Harmon McKelvey Oeser Sara Weiss CFT John Fitzpatrick Mary Wells Alma Garcia Jan Morrison Telca Karen Porras Anne McClellan

4. Texas High School Project

5. Texas High School Project THSP Key goals: Increase high school graduation rates Promote a college-going culture and increase college readiness Build statewide capacity for supporting high school redesign and reform Create systemic changes that ensure long-term sustainable high school improvement

6. Texas High School Project The Texas High School Project (THSP) is a $260M public-private initiative with three major funding streams administered cooperatively toward common goals: $148M TEA�$118M in state and $30M in federal funding $57M Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private and corporate funding managed by THSP staff at Communities Foundation of Texas $55M Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

8. Overall graduation rates are improving�

9. �however, disparities persist

10. Exit level disparities are particularly troubling

11. College readiness is low for all groups Percent of Students Meeting THECB Standard for Higher Education Readiness

12. Negative consequences are significant 56 percent of jobs today require some college. 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs over the next decade will require some college. Of the 50 best-paying occupations, only 2 do not require a college degree. A male with a college degree will make almost $1 million more over his lifetime than a high school dropout. A woman with only a high school diploma earns a salary just above the poverty line for a family of three.

13. How will THSP measure success? By the end of the 2006-07 school year, THSP will have preliminary data at THSP high schools related to near-term outcomes, such as: Attendance rates, Percentages of students earning enough credits to advance to the next grade, Percentages of students taking and passing advanced courses, and TAKS results Three-to five-year measures of successes at THSP campuses include increases among all student groups in the following: TAKS scores, Graduation rates, College-readiness indicators, and College enrollment rates Five-to-ten year state goals include: Statewide increases in graduation rates, college-readiness indicators, and college enrollment rates; Systemic support of high school redesign and reform; and, Policy environment that continues to support alignment of high school and postsecondary and college readiness for all high school students

15. T-STEM Initiative Background The Texas High School Project (THSP) is launching a Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Initiative. The T-STEM Initiative partners include the following partners: Governor�s office, Texas Education Agency (TEA), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), and National Instruments.

16. T-STEM Initiative Goals

17. What is STEM Education? Sciences integrated with other subject areas The Design Process driving student engagement �Attending to science in the context of technology�

18. STEM Education Driving Reform How do we help children make sense of the world and solve new and novel problems?

19. What is STEM Education? Teaching and learning strategies that integrate the teaching of STEM in a way that challenges students to innovate and invent.� T-STEM coursework requires students to demonstrate their understanding of these disciplines in an environment that models real world contexts for learning and work.� Students participating in T-STEM education graduate prepared to pursue postsecondary level coursework and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

20. T-STEM Academies 2006 Implementationand 2007 Start-up Grants Applicant Information Session March 7, 2006

21. Applicant Due Dates �

22. Program Description The purpose of the T-STEM Academies is to increase student achievement by engaging and exposing students to innovative science and math instruction while simultaneously acting as demonstration sites to inform math and science teaching and learning statewide. Every academy will provide a rigorous, well-rounded education with outstanding science and math instruction and with technology integrated across the curriculum.

23. T-STEM Academy Design and Implementation Support Academies will be supported by T-STEM Innovation Academy Coaches and the THSP Exemplar Program. Innovation Coaches will provide ongoing support for continuous development and the achievement of long-term T-STEM goals through school visits, e-contacts, and phone contacts. The Exemplar Program will consist of school and student support organizations that have implemented best practices in a particular aspect of the Academy model. Grantees will host site visits for T-STEM Academy leadership and make available the key learnings from their work.

24. 2006-2007 T-STEM Academies Grants The purpose of the T-STEM Academies � Start-up Grant is to solicit grant applications from eligible applicants for the opening of T-STEM Academies in August 2007. The purpose of the T-STEM Academies � Implementation Grant is to solicit grant applications from eligible applicants for the opening of T-STEM Academies in August 2006. Applicants are not eligible to apply for both the Start-up Grant and the Implementation Grant.

25. 2006 and 2007 Academy Models New: T-STEM Academy School Grades 6-12 serving 700 students Grades 9-12 serving 400 students New: T-STEM Academy Small Learning Community Grades 9-12 serving 400 students * Funding is capped at 100 per student.

26. 2006 Implementation Grant Funding Approximately $3,500,000 is available for funding Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academies (STEM) - during the July 17, 2006 through February 29, 2008 project period. It is anticipated that approximately 4 � 6 T-STEM Academies will be awarded grants with a maximum of $700,000 for each academy. Grant funds for the 2006 program will be disbursed in a one time payment. Applicants funded through this program may qualify for an additional two years of funding if performance measures are meeting expectations Phase I: Implementation Grant Academies do not need to serve every grade in its first years of operation, but must present a plan showing how the academy will scale up to eventually serve grades 6 � 12 or 9 � 12.

27. 2006 Implementation Grant Funding These funds are intended to support the following: staff compensation for personnel who will complete the school design during the 2006-2008 school year, professional development; curriculum planning and development, technology funding; travel to visit exemplars and best practice schools, and materials and supplies.

28. 2007 Start-up Grant Funding Approximately $2,850,000 is available for funding Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academies (STEM) - Startup grants during the August 1, 2006 through May 31, 2008 project period. Over all four years of funding, academies may receive a TOTAL of up to $2,000 per student. Grant funds for this program will be disbursed in two phases: Start-up and Year One Implementation. Applicants funded through this program may qualify for an additional two years of funding if performance measures are meeting expectations. Academies do not need to serve every grade in its first years of operation, but must present a plan showing how the academy will scale up to eventually serve grades 6 � 12 or 9 � 12.

29.  August 1, 2006 thru July 31, 2007 School organizations awarded the Start-up grants will be eligible to receive up to $120,000 per academy funded in Phase l. It is anticipated that approximately 4 � 6 T-STEM Academies will be awarded grants with a maximum of $630,000 for each academy. These funds are intended to support staff compensation for the person who will complete the school design during the 2006-2007 school year, curriculum planning and development, travel to visit exemplars and best practice schools, and materials and supplies.

30. 2007 Phase ll �Start-up Funding August 1, 2007 thru May 31, 2008 Upon receipt of an approved implementation proposal that meets the expectations of TEA and the CFT, each academy will submit an amendment for up to $900 per student in additional funding for the projected capacity enrollment of the planned academy. Implementation funds are intended to primarily support professional development, staff positions that could not otherwise be funded, materials and supplies, and technology.

31. 2006 Eligibility Criteria Is a high-performing school district or open-enrollment charter school, as demonstrated by a rating of Exemplary or Recognized under the 2005 state accountability rating system, and Serves greater than 39 percent (%) economically disadvantaged students.

32. 2007 Eligibility Criteria Serves a student population of greater than 75 percent (%) economically disadvantaged students; or, Serves a student population of greater than 30,000 students.

33. Additional Eligibility Requirements 2007 Start-up The districts/charters listed on pages 21-25 are eligible to apply for the T-STEM Academies � Start-up Grant 2006 Implementation The districts/charters listed on pages 20-22 are eligible to apply for the T-STEM Academies � Implementation Grant

34. Additional Eligibility Requirements 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; Districts and open-enrollment charter schools that received a rating of Academically Unacceptable under the 2005 state accountability rating system are not eligible; An open enrollment charter school applying for this grant must have the proper approved amendment request to the open enrollment charter from the commissioner; Campuses receiving funds under this grant program must be rated under the standard accountability rating system; 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: (1) revoke or non-renew such charter under TEC Chapter 12, or (2) close the campus under TEC Chapter 39, for any of the reasons set forth in either statutory provision. If the commissioner ultimately revokes or denies renewal of an open enrollment charter of a charter holder or closes a campus that has been awarded funds under this grant program, grant funding shall be discontinued; and A district or open enrolment charter school receiving a rating of academically unacceptable under the Texas Accountability Rating System in 2005 is not eligible.

35. 2006-2007 Eligibility Criteria Campuses receiving the following grants from either TEA or Communities Foundation of Texas/ THSP are not eligible to receive funds under this grant program: Redesign and Restructuring grant Early College High School grant New Schools grant

37. T-STEM Academy Grant Programs Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for only one of the following grants: Start-up Grant � RFA #701-06-011 or Implementation Grant � RFA #701-06-009

38. Program Goals The goals of the T-STEM Academies are to: 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.

39. Program Goals School Design Academy Size They will be small�approximately 100 students per grade�and encompass a personalized learning environment with explicitly high expectations. Academy Structure Grades 6 � 12 Grades 9 � 12 and will actively work with feeder middle schools

40. Program Goals Organizational Support Academies do not need to serve every grade in its first years of operation, but must present a plan showing how the academy will scale up to eventually serve grades 6 � 12 or 9 � 12. Academies will be a mix of charter schools, traditional public schools, and schools created in partnership with an institute of higher education (IHE). Academies may be stand alone campuses or small learning communities within a larger school or grade.

41. Program Goals Student Selection Criteria T-STEM Academies will be open enrollment and non-selective: All students must be eligible to apply; T-STEM Academies will host lotteries for admission; and The academy school population will be comprised of a majority of high-need students.

42. Program Goals The T-STEM Academies program will accomplish the following outcomes: Provide a rigorous, well-rounded education: Require all academy students to take four years of high school math: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus or another advanced math elective, such as Statistics; Require all students in the academy to take four years of high school science: Life Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics; Incorporate work-based, contextual learning with a global perspective into the curriculum; Participate in existing extra-curricular academic activities centered around math, science, and technology, such as UIL competitions (robotics, math) or science fairs; and Require all students in the academy to complete an internship primarily focused in the state�s economic development clusters and/or a senior project or capstone project, presentation, and defense.

43. Program Goals Establish a personalized, college- and work-ready culture: Create university or college partnerships for mentoring, fostering a college-going culture, and the provision of college level courses/dual credit, teacher training, etc.; Implement a college-going culture with the goal that all students in the academy graduate with 12 to 30 college credits; Create partnerships with employers to expose academy students to careers in science, math, engineering, healthcare, biotechnology and technology; Implement an Advisory requirement that is non-graded and focused on personalizing the student experience, ensuring academy students meet the goals of their Individual Graduation Plan (IGP), building relationships with students and parents, and providing character-building experiences; and Ensure every academy student has and uses an IGP.

44. Program Goals Provide teacher and leadership development: Make continued investments in math and science teacher professional development, bringing together math/science, high school, and higher education faculty and private businesses; Require weekly common planning time for academy teachers; Require external networking opportunities for academy teachers and school leaders; and Commit to sharing best practices and participating in network activities to improve STEM education throughout the state. requiring external networking opportunities for teachers requiring school leadership participation in the T-STEM Innovation Academy Coaching model

46. Program Requirements T-STEM Academies should serve a population with a majority representation of high-need students: economically disadvantaged, at-risk, Title I, Part A eligible, African-American, Hispanic, limited English proficient, or first generation college-goer.

47. Program Requirements A T-STEM Academy must reflect today�s 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: school curriculum, co-curriculum and daily operation; creating and using applied and team learning; and providing opportunities primarily focused in the state�s economic development clusters (teacher-externships and student internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, service learning and/or a senior project or capstone project, presentation, and defense for students to seriously consider careers in science, math, engineering, healthcare, biotechnology and technology.

48. Program Requirements T-STEM Academies should ensure that every student is provided a relationship-based, relevant and rigorous educational program. T-STEM Academies should provide a structured student support system for academic acceleration. T-STEM Academies should be small, serving approximately 100 students per grade. (Academies do not need to serve every grade in its first years of operation, but must present a plan showing how the academy will scale up to eventually serve grades 6 � 12 or 9 � 12.)

49. Program Requirements A T-STEM Academy must provide leadership and school innovation development through: making continued investments in math and science teacher coaching-based professional development model bringing together math/science high school and higher education faculty and private businesses; requiring weekly common planning time for T-STEM content teachers and providing training to ensure common planning time is well utilized serving as a math/science demonstration sites as proof points for improved practices; disseminating T-STEM outreach to middle schools and the greater district

50. Program Requirements Rider 59, Texas High School Initiative, requires that funds be expended on programs that show the most potential to improve high school completion and success. Rider 59 requires that funds be expended on programs that encourage students toward postsecondary education and training. Applicants must describe the strategies that will be used to improve the number of students enrolling in higher education plans with the intent for postsecondary education.

51. Program Requirements Individualized Graduation Plan Rider 59 requires that schools receiving funds under this grant program ensure that all students participating in the grant program (i.e., academy students) on each participating campus have an individualized graduation plan (IGP). Available sources of student-level performance data should be utilized in the development of IGPs. The IGP for each student should address the student�s academic strengths and weaknesses, including TAAS/TAKS scores, coursework, and credit accrual. The campus will implement changes in the counseling staff or counseling staff structure and use technological tools to support the development and monitoring of graduation plans.

52. Program Requirements A T-STEM Academy must provide teacher development through teacher mentoring and induction programs that include the following components: formative assessments to identify teachers� needs, assess their classroom practice, and create steps for improvement; classroom observations and in constructive feedback; demonstrations of effective teaching methods; assistance with lesson plans; assistance with analyzing student work and achievement data; mentors who are on the same campus, same grade (if applicable), and if possible teaching in the same subject matter; mentors who are selected based on having no less than three years of teaching experience and having a proven record of engaging students and, as a whole, in achieving growth in student performance; mentors must be trained in a research-based training program; and must have common planning time and collaboration.

53. Program Requirements The T-STEM Academies Grant requires that the LEA (i.e., district central office) provide technical assistance, evaluation data, and flexibility to the campuses that receive this grant. Each applicant must demonstrate in the application how technical assistance, evaluation data, and flexibility will be provided by the central office to the participating campus. The T-STEM Academies Grant requires that the school district 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. Coordination of federal, state, and private funds will be ensured during the grant negotiation process.

54. Program Requirements The T-STEM Academies - Start-up Grant requires that high school campuses receiving funding under this grant participate in the T-STEM Best Practices network through the CFT. T-STEM Academies - Start-up Grant requires that the creation of the T-STEM Academy be supported by school faculty, administrators, and staff. Campuses must receive the support and approval of the faculty and staff, parents, and the community as reflected in the minutes from a campus-based decision-making team meeting by May 19, 2006. Applicants must attach a copy of minutes for the application to be considered complete.

55. Program Requirements The T-STEM Academies - Start-up Grant requires that the T-STEM Academy program include a plan for the evaluation of the implementation of school reforms and the student results achieved. Applicants must incorporate into their grant application all activities conducted with funds from this grant program and the program requirements listed in this RFA. The grant application must be approved by the superintendent and the local board of trustees. Submission of the application will indicate the superintendent�s approval of the T-STEM Academy design. Local board of trustee approval of the campus� grant application must be reflected in the board of trustee�s meeting or board workshop minutes by May 19, 2006. Applicants must attach a copy of minutes for the application to be considered complete.

56. Program Evaluation In the design of programs under this grant, applicants must show a strong strategic alignment between grant program goals and performance measures. The applicant must also describe how it will conduct periodic evaluations to assess its progress toward achieving its stated goals and objectives. The results of these evaluations should be used to refine, improve, and strengthen the program or activity, and to refine the performance measures.

58. Grant Instructions The following components are provided for you to describe your approach, rationale, and major activities as they relate to the listed statutory regulations, SBOE rules, and/or other regulations: Abstract Needs and Objectives Project Management Research Review School Model Design Team and Proposal Development Organizational Capacity Overview of Resources and External Funding Curriculum and Instruction Model Professional Development Higher Education Connections Community, Business and Parent Organizational Capacity Involvement Technology Integration and Infrastructure Accountability

59. Schedule #4B�Program Description In planning and designing the grant program, the applicant should conduct a needs assessment to determine the local needs that exist within the context of the stated program goals and establish local program objectives based on the stated program goals and local needs. Local program objectives should reflect the desired results of the project and must be measurable, realistic, and achievable during the grant period. The grant program should be designed around these local program objectives.

60. Schedule #4B�Program Description Part 1: Target Population, Grade Level For each type of participating school, enter the number of targeted students by grade level (6th through 12th grade), as applicable to this grant program. Enter the number of targeted Public School students per grade level. Enter the number of targeted Open Enrollment Charter School students per grade level. Enter the number of targeted Public Institution students per grade level. (TYC, School for the Deaf, etc.) Enter the number of targeted Private Nonprofit School students per grade level, if applicable. Enter the number of targeted Private For-profit School students per grade level, if applicable.

61. Part 2: Need Statement Provide a well-documented, compelling description of the problem or need(s) that the proposed T-STEM Academy model aims to address. Describe how your district is uniquely positioned to make use of a STEM academy. What is your team�s vision of a STEM-focused Academy?

62. Part 3: Student Population Project the demographics of the targeted student population and the process you will use for student selection. Provide a chart of the representing the year-by-year roll-out of grade levels to be served upon opening and at full enrollment. Describe the process for marketing and recruitment to the target student population.

63. Schedule #4B - Program Narrative: Project Management Management of Grant Activities Describe the plan for how grant activities will be managed and monitored on a day-to-day basis to ensure successful implementation and operation of the grant program

64. Supplement-Not-Supplant Describe specifically how services and activities provided by this grant program will be supplemental to existing state and local services and activities, and; Not used for any services or activities required by state law, State Board of Education rule, or local policy.

65. Activity Timeline List the major activities to be conducted related to implementing this Project Management component. Enter an estimated date for this activity to begin during the grant period. (mm/yyyy) Enter an estimated date for this activity to end during the grant period. (mm/yyyy)

66. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Research Review Provide a review of the research and the body of practice used to structure and support your T-STEM academy. Provide a list of resources used to design your T-STEM proposal.

67. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: School Model Describe the academy model and design and the grades to be served in the academy. Describe how this model will change over the next 5 years as the school grows to full capacity. How will your school design incorporate the core principles of effective small schools? For information about effective small schools please refer to www.smallschoolsproject.org and �Making the case for small schools� at http://www.gatesfoundation.org. Describe how you will create a culture of high expectations for all academy students, with a focus on a relationship-based, rigorous, relevant, and standards-driven curriculum.

68. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Design Team and Proposal Development Describe the formation of the Design team. Provide a list of each of the members and a short biography of each in an attachment. Describe the activities that were conducted to develop this proposal

69. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Organizational Capacity Briefly describe the mission of your school district or open enrollment charter school, and the strengths and expertise it brings to this project that make it uniquely qualified to produce high quality results. Please include data related to performance with accelerating low income student achievement (particularly in math and science), producing outstanding student results (particularly in math and science), and describe any other innovative programs already developed related to science, technology, engineering and math, with their accompanying results.

70. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Organizational Capacity To the extent your school district or open enrollment charter school has undertaken a similar project in the past; describe its measure(s) of success, as well as lessons learned. Describe your school district�s or open enrollment charter school�s strategies for sustaining the T-STEM Academy. Specifically, what actions will your organization and project partners implement during the planning grant term to develop sustainability and if known, who will be responsible for providing oversight to the school when the planning grant period has ended?

71. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Curriculum and Instructional Model What is the academy instructional model? Please refer to both cognitive and school-based research to support your selection of this model. What is the advantage of such a model when teaching STEM and other core disciplines? What evidence is there of this?

72. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Curriculum and Instructional Model Describe the curriculum content model with emphasis on STEM. Describe how you will incorporate work-based, contextual learning with a global perspective into the curriculum; creating and using applied and team learning; and providing opportunities primarily focused in the state�s economic development clusters (such as internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, service learning and/or a senior project or capstone project, presentation, and defense) for students to seriously consider careers in science, math, engineering, healthcare, biotechnology and technology.

73. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Curriculum and Instructional Model What qualitative and quantitative benchmarks will be used by the school to ensure the instructional model is pervasive and effective?

74. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Curriculum and Instructional Model How does this model align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)? Please provide a draft example of a four-year plan which outlines the science, technology, engineering and math requirements along with the core content requirements? What partnerships do you propose to establish to support your instructional model and curriculum design? Include expectations of work with experts in STEM and education reform as well as collaborations anticipated with higher education institutions?

75. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Professional Development Please provide references in text to support the research basis of the model components.

76. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Professional Development What plans do you have for school-based professional development, job-embedded coaching, focused and reflective inquiry, looking at student work and other continuous learning opportunities for teachers and administrators? How will your model support the mentoring of your teachers? What expectations do you have for your teachers in addition to their classroom responsibilities? How will professional development support teachers as they implement the curriculum and instructional model?

77. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Higher Education Connections Design an articulated plan for academy students to earn 12 hours or more through multiple educational pathways such as dual credit, IB and AP. What is the plan for acquisition of college credit (dual credit, AP, IB, etc.)? Schools should either provide a plan for articulating the acquisition of college credits through dual credit or outline the offering of AP/IB courses that will be available to academy students.

78. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Higher Education Connections Describe your educational partner(s) who will assist in the delivery of coursework bearing college credit. How will this plan map to the economic workforce clusters (semiconductor industry, information and computer technology, microelectromechanical systems, manufactured energy systems, nanotechnology, and biotechnology)?

79. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Higher Education Connections What is the role of the educational partner(s)? Provide evidence of the success of the partner(s)� work.

80. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Higher Education Connections How will campus teachers and higher education faculty work together for purposes of professional development and curriculum planning? For dual credit, provide the plan for the development of the MOU between the school, district or governing organization and higher education partners. For IB/AP, describe the plan for assuring academy student scores earn college credit.

81. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Community, Business and Parent Involvement How will you ensure family and community involvement in the school? Describe how you will partner other schools and the greater district to expand T- STEM capacity.

82. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Community, Business and Parent Involvement Describe how you will bring together corporate and business partners. Describe business partnerships and external supports for your program. How will these partners participate in supporting the curricular academic activities centered around math, science, and technology, such as service learning, internships, UIL competitions (robotics, math) or science and technology fairs?

83. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Operational ModelComponent Description Describe the proposed school leadership and governance structure of the academy. Identify the people who will assume the school leadership roles and their qualifications, or outline the design team�s plans for recruiting qualified leaders.

84. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Operational ModelComponent Description Provide a flow chart for this governance structure, demonstrating accountability as well as leadership. Project what the academy will look like in terms of staff, students and facilities in the first year and in the subsequent 4 years: Number of teachers, number of students, size and nature of facilities (stand alone school building, school within a school, small learning community within comprehensive high school, shared facility on a college campus, technology infrastructure, laboratories, etc.).

85. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Operational ModelComponent Description Describe the recruitment and hiring process for teachers. Are there any unique design features? What is the role of parents, partners and higher education? What is the role of central administration? What support activities will be provided?

86. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Overview of Resources and External Funding If a new school, please describe the financials of the school over the first five years including investment, revenues and costs. Include major assumptions (such as number of students, average state, local and federal funding per student, number of teachers and average salary, administrative positions and salaries, estimated start-up infrastructure and capital costs, estimated major categories of ongoing operational expenses). If a new school, in what year of operation will the school break even from governmental revenues? How much total funding is necessary prior to the school achieving break even? Outline the facilities funding plan. NOTE: TEA will not provide funds for facilities.

87. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Overview of Resources and External Funding Discuss how you will address any funding gap beyond the potential $2,000 per student both during and beyond the grant period. How will you coordinate the use of federal, state, district, and private funds to ensure that the P-16 education programs they support are complementary and are consistent with the shared vision for improvement of STEM education? To the extent key partners have been identified or secured to support the project, please indicate, by organization, the funding commitments you have secured to date. Describe any anticipated partners and the stage of negotiation with each potential partner. Indicate, by organization, the amounts you anticipate receiving. Please provide a brief description of any significant non-cash contribution.

88. Charter Schools Address the following: How many schools do you intend to open over the next five years (through school year 2010/2011). Please outline in detail the role of the central office or charter management team and the support it will provide to schools: What instructional materials will be created by the central office or charter management team, if any?

89. Charter Schools Will campuses be required to use these materials or will it be optional? What assessment content, processes, and analysis will be created by the central office or charter management team? Will campuses be required to use these materials and processes or will it be optional? What training and professional development will be conducted centrally for all academy staff? What back office, HR, start-up and operational support, if any, will your central office or charter management team provide individual schools? How will these services be delivered (i.e., local staff, national staff, etc.)?

90. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Technology Integration and Infrastructure Propose a plan which provides school-wide access to technology. How does this plan map to district standards? How will you integrate technology into all aspects of the academy culture: academy curriculum, teaching strategies and daily operation?

91. Schedule #4B - Program Description � Narrative: Accountability The Texas accountability system will serve as the standard for accountability purposes. What other performance-based outcome measures will you utilize for academy students, including subjective-based models, and how will it be utilized? What intermediate outcome measures will you use to ensure that you are on track throughout the year? How will you use data from evaluations to improve the academy model?

92. Allowable Use of Grant Funds 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 implements in a coherent manner the required components of the grant program, with a strong emphasis on improving student performance, expose and engage students in innovative math and science instruction, instituting a rigorous curriculum for all students, redesigning structural and management practices, developing the skills and knowledge of teachers and school leaders, involving parents and the community, and establishing a long-term plan for sustaining the T-STEM Academy or SLC. Implementation funds are intended to primarily support professional development staff positions that could not otherwise be funded, materials, supplies, and technology. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate federal, state, and local programs to eliminate duplication of resources. Applicants may elect to use additional resources and other sources of financial support to help maximize the effectiveness of project goals and objectives.

93. Unallowable Use of Grant Funds See Application Guidelines � Part 1: General and Fiscal Guidelines for more information regarding the use of funds. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of ways in which funds from this grant may not be used include the following: Construction of new buildings; Renovation/remodeling of existing structures; Fundraising activities of any kind; Field trips; Payment to a student who has not graduated for services as a tutor or a mentor; Lease-Purchase agreements; Lease-Purchase of vehicles; Lease-Purchase of portable buildings; Purchase of furniture, except for computer tables; Indirect costs; Writing grants to obtain other grant funds; and, Training on grant writing.

94. Application Review Criteria A. Need for the Proposed Project 7 points possible B. Quality of the Project Design 33 points possible C. Quality of Project Services 10 points possible D. Quality of Management Plan 28 points possible E. Quality of Project Evaluation 10 points possible F. Appropriateness of Budget 12 points possible

95. Implementation Grant Application Priority Points T- STEM Specific Review Criteria 30 points possible Applicants that provide evidence of prior planning and implementation in preparation for the STEM Academy opening in August of 2006 may receive between 0 to 10 priority points, depending on the quality and scope of the progress cited (10 points) Applicants that provide data related to prior success in implementing math and science programs with low income and minority student populations may receive between 0 and 10 priority points, depending on the quality of the data and the scope of the prior math and science programs implemented (10 points) Applicants that provide a plan for teaching and learning in STEM coursework that is research based and that includes designs for new integrated STEM courses and/or strategies for intensive interventions to support students who are performing below grade level may receive between 0 and 10 priority points, depending on the quality of the plan (10 points) Total Maximum Number of Points 130 Grant Total

96. Start-up Grant Application Priority Points T- STEM Specific Review Criteria 10 points possible Applicants that provide a plan for teaching and learning in STEM coursework that is research based and that includes designs for new integrated STEM courses and/or strategies for intensive interventions to support students who are performing below grade level may receive between 0 and 10 priority points, depending on the quality of the plan. Total Maximum Number of Points 110 Grant Total

97. Due Dates: 2006 Academy Implementation Grant

98. Due Dates:2007 Academy Start-up Grant

99. Grant Update Information Applicants: Please Note: You are responsible for periodically checking the DISCRETIONARY GRANTS website below: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/disc/index.html (Select the specific RFA/RFP from the pull-down menu.) View Current Funding Opportunities: Grants and Contracts for any postings of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Additional/Clarifying Information, or Errata Notices that pertain to this RFA/RFP.

100. T-STEM Academies Grants To Download the 2006 and 2007 RFAs: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/disc/index.html (Under Current Discretionary Grant Opportunities) Please be aware that TEA does not have the resources to provide technical assistance to those who experience difficulty accessing and using these forms. The forms are being made available only for those whose computer system is compatible with the forms and wish to utilize this flexibility. The forms may be completed on the computer, saved, and printed for mailing to TEA as per instructions on each individual RFA. Currently, there is no electronic submission of these application forms. Any eligible entity submitting these forms is responsible for ensuring that the printed forms maintain the TEA's format.

101. Clarifying Information Any person wishing to obtain clarifying information about this for grant application may submit questions in writing to: Program Information tstemgrant@cftexas.org Funding Information karen.harmon@tea.state.tx.us Contact information for Regional Education Service Centers and the Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching is on the back table.