Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Initiative (TSTEM)
Source: Texas Education Agency Date: 2007
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/thsp/tstem/index.html
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The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Initiative is a central component of the Texas High School Project (THSP), a public-private initiative committed to increasing graduation rates and college enrollment rates across Texas. The THSP is attempting to align its high school redesign efforts with the state’s economic development goals by transforming STEM education.

Funding for the initiative is a combination of state and federal funding, and contributions form philanthropic donors. The initiative has four primary goals and expected outcomes: to develop the nation’s leading STEM Academies in areas of high need across the state; to create 5-6 Texas STEM Centers across the state that will support professional development in the field; and to establish a statewide best practices STEM network. The initiative can serve as an example to other states wishing to pursue public-private STEM initiatives.

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Background and Context
The subject areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have been an important part of policy debates on both the national and state level. The challenge of raising student performance in these subjects is well documented, with numerous studies showing the United States trailing the rest of the world in all of these areas. An equally daunting challenge exists in the recruitment and retention of teachers who are capable of raising the achievement level of their students in fields where expertise is highly valued outside the classroom.