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

Record Low Dropout Rate Houston ISD 4 Dropout rates hit all-time low Hispanic African American White All students

Record Low Dropout Rate Houston ISD 5 Hispanic White White-Hispanic gap dramatically reduced

Record High Graduation Rate Houston ISD 6 Graduation rates reach all-time high Hispanic African American White All students

Record High Graduation Rate Houston ISD White-Hispanic gap continues to narrow Hispanic White

College Readiness Houston ISD 8 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 10

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

Texas 31% US 27% Texas 8% US 8% HISD 12% Houston ISD12% Rest of Texas8% Rest of the U.S.8% AP: Expansion in Equity & Access Students scoring 3 or better on at least one AP exam 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 $180 million in scholarship offers for the Class of 2012 $74.5 Dollar amounts in millions $97.1 $130 $180

Record High Scholarship Offers Houston ISD 18 Alejandra Ortega $700,000 in scholarship offers

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 20

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

School Choice and Magnets: The Journey

Historic Solution Houston ISD 23 In the early 1970s, HISD used school choice – creating “magnetic” programs

Beginnings of School Choice Houston ISD 24 The school choice model later was used successfully throughout the U.S.

Scope and Growth of Magnets Houston ISD 25 Academic and extracurricular enrichment

Scope and Growth of Magnets Houston ISD 26 Early career training with a strong academic focus

Scope and Growth of Magnets Houston ISD 27 Keeping up with the needs for an educated and trained local workforce

Time for a Change Houston ISD 28 HISD magnets – which had grown to 113 programs – existed for four decades without extensive evaluation of the five tenets outlined by Magnet Schools of America.

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

Time for a Change Houston ISD 30 HISD educators knew a number of programs were no longer matching the guidelines System-wide problems were identified in HISD

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

Once Again Making History Houston ISD 32 March 2011 The district developed uniform standards for magnet programs.

Once Again Making History Houston ISD 33 September 2013 HISD attracts more MSAP funding

An evolving tradition

Creating Pathways to Careers Houston ISD 35 Aligning career pathways and job fields that are in high demand

Creating Pathways to Careers Houston ISD 36 Houston is home to the world’s largest medical center

Partnering with Industry Leaders Houston ISD 37 Creating curriculum that is innovative and current

Partnering with Local Colleges Houston ISD 38 Expanding our partnerships with local community colleges

Model for Success

In-N-Out Burger Houston ISD 40

Videos

Energy Institute High School Houston ISD 42 HISD Energy Institute High School video

Becoming #GreatAllOver

#GreatAllOver Video Houston ISD 44 Becoming Great All Over video

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