School Choice and Magnets: An Evolving Tradition

HISD at a glance

Large and Diverse District HISD is the largest school district in Texas, spanning more than 330 square miles in a diverse city that’s home to world-class medical and research institutions, as well as a thriving energy industry. Houston ISD 3

HISD by the Numbers 282 schools serve our students 210,047 students $186 million in scholarships was offered to seniors in languages are spoken across the district

2013 Recognition Houston ISD Broad Prize winner Best Urban School District in U.S. First two-time winner $550,000 in college scholarships for graduating seniors

2013 Recognition 33 schools on the Washington Post High School Challenge Index Greater Houston Region Annual School Rankings listed 15 HISD schools in the top 30 Featured in U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools Houston ISD 6

Dropout Rate Houston ISD 7 Dropout rates hit all-time low

Record High Graduation Rate Houston ISD 8 Graduation rates reach all-time high

College Readiness Houston ISD 9 More High School students take college readiness exams

College Readiness Houston ISD AP courses at all high schools Pre-AP curriculum SAT and AP exam fees paid by HISD In-school SAT testing

HISD by the Numbers HISD is leading the pack in college readiness. Houston ISD 11

Texas 31% US 27% Texas 64% US 57% HISD 127% Houston ISD127% Rest of Texas64% Rest of the U.S.57% AP: Expansion in Equity & Access Increase in AP seats Houston ISD to 2012

Texas 31% US 27% Texas 31% US 27% HISD 51% Houston ISD51% Rest of Texas31% Rest of the U.S.27% AP: Expansion in Equity & Access Increase in scores of 3 or better on AP exams Houston ISD to 2012

Postsecondary Success Houston ISD 14 Number of AP exams taken soars 129% from 2009 to 2012

Postsecondary Success Houston ISD 15 Significantly more African-American and Hispanic students are passing AP exams

Students Scoring 500+ on SAT Houston ISD 16 1, ,056 2,738 1,816

Record High Scholarship Offers Houston ISD 17 HISD Class of 2013 received $185.2 million in scholarship offers

Record High Scholarship Offers Houston ISD 18 Magnet graduate Alejandra Ortega from Barbara Jordan High School for Careers attracted $700,000 in scholarship offers.

School Choice and Magnets: The Journey

Historic Solution Houston ISD 20 In the early 1970s, HISD used school choice – creating “magnetic” programs

Beginnings of School Choice Houston ISD 21 The school choice model later was used successfully throughout the U.S.

Scope and Growth of Magnets Houston ISD 22 Magnets offered a choice beyond neighborhood schools, alternatives to private schools Focus was on academic and extracurricular enrichment

Scope and Growth of Magnets Houston ISD 23 Specialty high schools gave students a jump on preparing for the workforce

Scope and Growth of Magnets Houston ISD 24 New magnet programs were designed at all levels to keep up with needs for an educated and trained local workforce

Time for a Change Houston ISD 25 HISD magnets – which had grown to 113 programs – existed for four decades without extensive evaluation of the five tenets outlined by U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement.

Magnet Tenets Diversity Unique and innovative curriculum Improved student achievement Professional development/ specialized teaching Parent and community involvement

Time for a Change Houston ISD 27 HISD educators knew a number of programs were no longer matching the guidelines System-wide problems were identified in HISD Inequitable funding

Time for a Change Houston ISD HISD took controversial step of ordering a magnet audit

Once Again Making History Houston ISD 29 March 2011 The district developed uniform standards for magnet programs.

Once Again Making History Houston ISD 30 September 2013 HISD attracts more MSAP funding

An evolving tradition

Creating Pathways to Careers Houston ISD 32 HISD is focusing on creating magnet programs that align with career pathways and job fields that are in high demand

Creating Pathways to Careers Houston ISD 33 Houston is home to the world’s largest medical center

Partnering with Industry Leaders Houston ISD 34 Local business and corporate connections help create programs both innovative and current

Video

One of a kind high school Houston ISD 36 HISD Energy Institute High School video

Partnering with Local Colleges Houston ISD 37 Expanding partnerships with community colleges gives students the chance to earn college credits — for free

Model for Success

Do one thing to perfection Houston ISD 39

Becoming #GreatAllOver

A vision for 21 st Century Learning Houston ISD 41 Becoming Great All Over video

2013 Recognition Houston ISD 42 Finalist for federal Race to the Top funding One of 31 finalists from 200+ applicants Potential $30 million grant

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