Newsweek magazine list recognizes high school with
TI ties
The news is
out from Newsweek magazine, and it’s positive
for two Dallas Independent School District high schools
that both landed atop the 2007 list of “America’s
Best Public High Schools.” The School of Science
and Engineering Magnet (SEM), where TI has been involved
for more than a decade, ranked second in the nation.
Another Dallas school, the School for the Talented and
Gifted (TAG), took the top spot.
The formula for recognition is simple: take the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests given at a school in May and divide by the number of graduating seniors.
Texas Instruments began a partnership with SEM 14 years ago in order to encourage more students to study math and science. What started out as a donation of equipment quickly expanded to include mentors, internships and technology, as well as a close working relationship between the principal, students and TI engineers.
One notable piece of the success story was TI’s involvement in the Advanced Placement Incentive program, which offers additional motivation to students and teachers involved in Advanced Placement testing. TI played a major role in funding and bringing this creative initiative to SEM, which not only paid student fees for the tests but also provided stipends for instructors. The school ranks highly in passage rates as well.
“We can’t take credit for the school’s performance, but we can certainly applaud their success and are thrilled to be part of the legacy that got them to this point,” said Alan Gilkes, TI Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff and SEM liaison. “This is a great school doing great things, and we are honored to be its partner in producing qualified students.”
Additionally, SEM was a beta site for a TI-initiated curriculum called The Infinity Project, which introduces students to current technology through hands-on instruction and activities rather than through textbooks.
TAG was also ranked No. 1 in 2006, while SEM moved from No. 8 to No. 2 this year.
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