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TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
The Texas High School Project is a public-private partnership dedicated to helping boost graduation rates and increase the number of Texas high school students who are ready for a range of post secondary opportunities. The organization works with high-need schools statewide in particular those located in urban areas and the Texas-Mexico border.

THSP is involved in several initiatives including Early College, High School Redesign, Education Leadership, New Schools and Charter Schools and T-STEM.

Its partners include the Texas Education Agency, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Wallace Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation and National Instruments

Official Mission Statement
The Texas High School Project is dedicated to all Texas students graduating high school ready for college and career success and prepared to be contributing members of the community.

Early College High School Initiative
Early College High Schools traditionally serve students who are at-risk of dropping out, economically disadvantaged or first-time college goers. Students can earn a high school diploma and 60 credit hours toward an associate’s or baccalaureate degree at no cost.

THSP and the Communities Foundation of Texas has awarded grants to four organizations to establish 12 Early College High Schools around the state. In total, there are 29 Early College High Schools in Texas.

ECHS Characteristics

 * High expectations: students are expected to receive a high school diploma and associates degree or up to 60 college credit hours
 * Small learning environment: Enrollment restricted to 400 students
 * Schools are located on college campuses or they share resources with colleges
 * Rigorous or personalized instruction
 * Teachers and professors collaborate
 * Schedules mimic college class structure
 * Intense academic counseling

High School Redesign
THSP provides resources to schools so that they can transform their buildings from large, impersonal campuses to smaller learning communities.

Education Leadership
With the help of funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wallace Foundation, this initiative focuses on leadership training for teachers and administrators.

THSP awarded grants to five universities so they could strengthen their teacher certification process and offer more training for principals.

The five schools were: Sam Houston State University, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at San Antonio.

New Schools and Charter Schools Initiative
THSP and the Communities Foundation of Texas have awarded grants to help create new charter schools or expand existing ones. So far, 14 campuses have been created or expanded in Austin, Houston, Dallas and the Rio Grande Valley.

T-STEM
The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Initiative is aimed increasing the number of students who study and enter these fields. There are 35 T-STEM academies, or schools, in the state.