Date sent: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 14:10:33 -0600 (CST)
From: LindaP (Texas)
Subject: TBEC- Texas Scholars

loop members [on bcc]:

http://www.bcer.org/mtg/texas__1.htm

TEXAS SCHOLARS
1996 AND BEYOND

"TEXAS SCHOLARS IS A PROVEN, INEXPENSIVE AND PRACTICAL
WAY TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS..."

DR. MIKE MOSES, STATE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TEXAS BUSINESS AND EDUCATION COALITION

Overview

Texas Scholars is a program that motivates students to complete a rigorous
course of study in high school. It helps students and their parents understand
that good, well-paying jobs go to those who have prepared themselves by
obtaining a fundamentally sound academic education. The program emphasizes "on
level" and above courses in language arts (including languages other than
English), mathematics, science and social studies. Only by satisfactorily
completing these courses can students expect to compete in the high
technology, global economy of the 21st century.

Major Elements

The Texas Scholars program consists of five major elements, each of which is
essential to the program's success.

•Presenting 8th grade students with information that shows them the value of
taking a full academic load. This presentation, entitled "Great
Expectations--Great Rewards," is conducted by a local business person. It may
need to be repeated in the 9th grade to encourage students in their hard work.

•Conducting a parallel presentation with parents of those same 8th grade
students.

•Providing recognition and support each year for students receiving 'C' or
above grades while maintaining the full academic load required of Texas
Scholars.

•Honoring as a Texas Scholar each individual high school senior who has
complied the required curriculum at an annual ceremony or reception.
Additionally, a community can acknowledge them with individual photographs and
names in local and school newspapers, and/or publicize the recognition event
via radio and television.

•Distributing a Texas Scholars brochure and directory to businesses in the
community and encouraging local businesses to recognize the benefits of hiring
Texas Scholars for full- time or part-time work.



Recommended High School Program and Texas Scholars

On November 12, 1993, the Texas State Board of Education unanimously adopted
the Recommended High School Program with the support of the Commissioner of
Education, the state Tech Prep Directors Association and TBEC. The Texas
Scholars Program requirements are based on this Recommended Program. For
communities adopting the program, Texas Scholars requirements must meet or
exceed those of the Recommended Program.

Beginning with the 1997-98 school year, the number of graduates who complete
the Recommended High School Program will be part of the AEIS school
performance reports. Commissioner Mike Moses stated in a June 1996 letter to
superintendents, "Those of you who are interested in increasing the number of
students who complete at least the Recommended Program may wish to consider
implementing Texas Scholars. It is a proven, inexpensive and practical way to
motivate students and is now being used in approximately 160 school
districts."

Building a Local Coalition

The Texas Scholars program is not designed to address all of the problems
existing in our public education system today. It does, however, provide a
vehicle through which parents, educators, business people and others can have
a quick, positive and measurable impact on education in their community. Texas
Scholars bonds the business and education representatives together in a
successful initiative and builds their credibility in the community. It can,
therefore, serve as a springboard for the coalition to pursue improvements in
other education areas.





Texas Scholars Program Requirements

1997 Graduates1998 Graduates
& Beyond CORE English Proficiency


English I, English II, English III, English IV 44Mathematics Proficiency
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II33Science Proficiency

Three of the following seven credits:
Physical Science, Biology I & II,
Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II 33Social Studies Proficiency
US History (1.0), World History (1.0),
World Geography (1.0),
US Government (.5), Economics (.5)3*4Languages Other Than English Proficiency

Two credits of the same language2 2Physical Education Proficiency1.51.5Health
Proficiency

Health (.5)0.5 0.5
Technology Applications Proficiency

State Approved Computer science applications

course11 Fine Arts11Speech -- 0.5Total Core Credits
*1997 graduates only - choose three credits from the four credits listed.
______
19 ______
20.5PLUS OPTIONAL PROGRAM (Choose one)
Option I

One additional math credit that requres Algebra II as a prerequisite; one
additional science credit from the following: Biology I & II, Chemistry I &
II, Physics I & Il; and Electives.

Option II

A coherent sequence of courses for career and technology preparation
(including Tech-Prep).

Option III

A specialization consisting of state-approved, college preparatory courses in
fine arts, continuation of the first or a second language other than English,
technology applications, language arts (including speech and journalism),
mathematics, science, or social studies.



3 3.5Total Options Credit33.5Total Credits Required22 24Notes:

1.Students completing a Texas Education Agency approved Tech-Prep program
would meet the criteria for the recommended program as long as the program
meets the English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Languages other than
English, Health, Fine Arts, and Technolgy Applications proficiencies and
provides the equivalence of a 24-credit program.

2.Advanced placement couses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate
proficiency areas.

3.Each course counts as either a 1 or a .5 credit regardless of the time
needed for completion.

4.For specific rules related to required credits, please refer to section
74.12 of the Texas Education Code Recommended High School Program.



ENDORSEMENTS

"WHEREAS the Texas Scholars program provides incentives that encourage
students to pursue academic courses that enable them to find meaningful work
after graduation; and
WHEREAS the State Board of Education wishes to wholeheartedly endorse the
Texas Scholars program and the schools and business and education coalitions
who are participating this program; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the State Board of Education expresses its full support for
schools to participate in this program."

Carolyn Honea Crawford, Chairman
State Board of Education (April 1993)





"BY THE YEAR 2000, American students will have grades four, eight, and twelve
having demonstrated competency in challenging subject matter including
English, mathematics, science, history, and geography; and every school in
America will ensure that allstudents learn to use their minds well, so they
may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive
employment in our modem economy.'

The National Education Goals (Goal 3)

"The Coalition has endorsed the Texas Scholars program as one means of
increasing academic performance in the state. Texas Scholars has the potential
to dramatically impact the lives of students in your community."

Abelardo Saavedra,
Suparintendent-Corpus Christi ISD & Eddie Watson,
Vice Chairrnan TU Electric
TBEC Co-Chairs -1996



GETTING INVOLVED

The Texas Business and Education Coalition is funded entirely by corporate and
foundation contributions. TBEC encourages supporters of improved public
education to participate in both statewide and local coalition activities.
Materials, newsletters and networking lists are available by writing or
calling the TBEC offices.

Texas Business and Education Coalition
400 West 15th, Suite 910 Austin, Texas 78701.

Understanding the Academic Excellence
Indicator System (AEIS) Reports
Telephone: 512 480-8232
Fax: 512-320-0280

Also available from TBEC:

Introduction to TBEC
Highlights Newsletter
MicroAEIS Computer Program ($80)
Site-Based Decision Making
Employer's Promise
What Parents Should Expect From Their
Child's School
How Business Involvement in TBEC
Can Help Improve Texas Schools

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

So as long as students can hold a 'C' or better average, graduate on level
and get immediate work even though it might be flipping burgers- this is ok?
The numbers are there- our unskilled labor force is less than 15% of the
population, versus previous years when it reached higher proportions.
The bottom line is the kids are not wanted at college- they are wanted to be
our next generation of unskilled, non-educated, worker bees.
How many of the parents concerned with the current situation in education
are looking for their children to graduate high school and jump into the
'work force'- are we not pushing a college degree in a field of THEIR
choice anymore?
LindaP