From elementary schools through high schools, there are several initiatives and programs are providing many opportunities and options for students and their families. Ask if your school has any of these programs.
Explore some of the available programs by clicking the links to the
right.
Achieve Texas
AchieveTexas is the state's college and career pathways system, an initiative
designed to prepare students for high school and postsecondary education,
work life and citizenship. The aim of AchieveTexas is for students to begin
taking courses in high school that will serve as the foundation for postsecondary
education and the work force. The program is intended to deliver a curriculum
that combines demanding academics with relevant career education. Visit
http://www.achievetexas.org.
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Dual Credit
Texas students may earn high school credit and college credit by taking college coursework that fulfills the requirements for both high school graduation and college course completion. This coursework must be part of a dual credit agreement between the student's high school and the college providing the instruction. The college coursework can be provided on a high school or college campus and can be administered by high school teachers with the appropriate education credentials. Dual credit or concurrent enrollment coursework can be used to meet the requirements for technical or certificate programs. Dual credit programs allow students to potentially save time and money in receiving a postsecondary degree because college work is completed prior to high school graduation at little or no cost to the student.
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ECHS
Early College High Schools (ECHS), established through grants from TEA
and the Communities Foundation of Texas, allow students who are at risk
of dropping out, economically disadvantaged or first-generation college-goers
to earn a high school diploma and 60 college credit hours simultaneously
at no cost to the student. It is possible for students enrolled in ECHSs
to save up to $24,000 by earning an associate degree while still enrolled
in high school. Visit
http://txechs.com/echs_designation_announcement.php.
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GEAR UP
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR
UP) project is a six-year federal initiative designed to increase early
college awareness and readiness in traditionally underrepresented groups.
Texas GEAR UP addresses multiple aspects of the college awareness process,
including advanced academics, educator quality, early information and
awareness, and family and community support. Texas GEAR UP partners include
College Board, Fathers Active in Communities and Education (FACE), and
the National Hispanic Institute (NHI). The project is evaluated by the
Texas Center for Educational Research (TCER). Visit
http://www.GearUpTexas.org.
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GoCenters
As part of the College For All Texans, Go Center houses a wide array of resources for students, parents and educators about colleges and careers and provide counseling. Many high schools in Texas now have GoCenters with high school and college students providing peer counseling. Some areas also have mobile GoCenters that go to libraries and other public venues to help people discover the college going possibilities
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G-Force
Members are college students who serve as peer mentors to college. They work at the GoCenters as well as bringing high school students on campus.
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Tech Prep
Tech Prep is a college-preparatory program for high school students that highlights technical career education. Tech Prep initially was authorized as a federal education initiative in 1990. Tech Prep allows students to begin coursework for a two-year associate of applied science degree, an apprenticeship program or a baccalaureate degree while in high school. Participating students can gain the technical skills needed for immediate entry-level employment after high school while also attending college and can earn college credit through dual credit/concurrent enrollment agreements or through articulation agreements between their high school and postsecondary institutions. Visit http://www.TechPrepTExas.org.
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T-STEM
Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Initiative is intended to improve
Texas students' achievement in mathematics and science, and ultimately to increase
the number of students who enter careers in the critical needs areas of science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. To date, the T-STEM Initiative has funded
38 T-STEM academies and seven T-STEM centers throughout the state. T-STEM academies
are model schools that provide rigorous science, technology, engineering and
mathematics instruction, with the goal of producing at least 3,500 Texas high
school graduates annually who are prepared to pursue college-level coursework.
They serve as demonstration sites to showcase best practices in science and technological
teaching and learning. T-STEM academies can be operated by school districts as
well as open-enrollment charter schools.
Visit
http://cistexas.org/ed_init/sec/thsp/tstem.html.
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TAMS
The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a unique residential
program at the University of North Texas (UNT) for high-achieving Texas
high school students. TAMS offers a rigorous two-year academic program
of college coursework taught by regular university faculty. High school
courses are not taught at TAMS. TAMS applicants must be enrolled in the
tenth grade or equivalent and have completed geometry and algebra I and
II by the end of their sophomore year. Prospective students must take the
SAT during the sophomore year of high school and must receive a score competitive
with those of Texas college-bound students to be eligible. pon completion
of the program, students will have earned at least 57 college credits,
the equivalent of two years of college coursework. Students can continue
their education at UNT or transfer to another university in or out of state.
Visit
http://www.tams.unt.edu/.
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MSA
The Mathematics and Science Academy (MSA), established by the 2005 Texas
Legislature, is a commuter program at the University of Texas at Brownsville
(UTB) and Texas Southmost College (TSC) for high school-aged students who
are interested mathematics and science. Students take classes from UTB/TSC
faculty alongside regular college students. MSA enrollment is open to Texas
high school students who meet the program's eligibility requirements, including
completion of geometry and algebra I and II, by the end of their sophomore
year. Prospective students must receive an SAT score that is competitive
with those of Texas college-bound students and be able to offer evidence
of interest in mathematics, science or engineering as a career.
Visit
http://www.utb.edu TOP
