Texas Instruments (TI) and the Texas Instruments Foundation announced today that their combined 2019 U.S. education grants total $7 million. These funds will go toward programs that will cultivate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) competencies in students and grow the quality and quantity of STEM educators, one of the greatest influences on student academic success. More than 97% of the funding will be used for improvements in kindergarten through 12th grade STEM education, primarily STEM teacher and principal effectiveness. The majority of grant recipients include nonprofit education partners in North Texas, where making a positive, long-lasting impact in the community is part of the company’s legacy. More than 250,000 students and 7,000 educators will benefit from the grants, 93% of which target under-resourced students.
According to the most recent Nation’s Report Card released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 33 percent of eighth grade Texas students are performing at proficiency in mathematics; eighth grade math scores are a strong indicator of future academic achievements in high school and in post-secondary success. Performance gaps are more significant for under-resourced demographic student groups: The average math score for the state’s eighth grade Black students is 24 points lower than the norm, and the average math score for its Hispanic students is 17 points lower. Texas eighth grade students who are eligible for free/reduced-price school lunch, an indicator of low family income, have an average math score that is 22 points lower than that of students who were not eligible.
“For years, TI and the TI Foundation have invested heavily in education initiatives with nonprofit partners in North Texas to improve teacher effectiveness and student learning outcomes in STEM-related subjects,” said Andy Smith, executive director of the TI Foundation and TI director of corporate philanthropy. “NAEP data paints an alarming picture of why it’s so important to invest in local education, and why we can’t let students back away from math and science. We live in a world that demands STEM aptitude, yet too few students are prepared to succeed in such a world.”
TI’s commitment to education, which dates to the company’s inception in 1930, remains its highest philanthropic priority. Programs funded this year include:
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Growing the National Math and Science Initiative College Readiness Program (CRP) to three additional independent school districts in North Texas – Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Duncanville – and supporting Advanced Placement® (AP) study sessions in Mesquite. Supported by the TI Foundation for almost two decades, the CRP helps ensure that more students have access to challenging AP coursework that will prepare them for future success, and is proven to improve results for traditionally underserved and female students. Funding from TI will be used toward professional learning and coaching to improve teacher effectiveness, one of the greatest influences on student success.
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Expanding support of Teach for America to Santa Clara County, California, and continued support in Dallas.
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Additional funding for the Urban Teachers teacher preparation residency program to enlist and retain effective math and science teachers in Dallas ISD and in local KIPP and Uplift Education charter schools. The hands-on curriculum is specifically designed for urban schools, where math and science teacher shortages remain high.
Other supported initiatives include:
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The Teaching Trust Aspiring Leaders Program, a rigorous, competency-based two-year program that transforms existing educators into urban school principals. Upon completion of the program, participants earn their M.Ed. in educational leadership from Southern Methodist University with a specialization in urban schools and complete their principal certification.
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Texas 2036, which is working to help policy makers from local and state government make informed decisions through data-driven resources.
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The Texas Instruments Innovation in STEM Teaching Awards for the Dallas, Garland, Lancaster, Mesquite, Plano and Richardson school districts, which will enter its 14th year in 2020.
