The details
A district news release stated Northwest ISD’s high schools have a student population that maintains a roughly 10% connection to the United States military branches. While the program is based on the schools’ military connections, all students in eligible Advanced Placement science, technology, engineering and math programs will receive the same benefits from the grant.
The schools that received funding included the following campuses:
- Byron Nelson High School received $101,276.00
- Eaton High School received $91,904.00
- Northwest High School received $92,579.00
- Steele Early College High School received $117,326.00
According to the Texas Education Agency, students in STEM classes apply academic content they’ve learned to solve real-world problems. The goal of the STEM curriculum is to prepare students for future career opportunities in highly technical career fields. TEA officials added Texas is expected to have the second-highest percentage of the nation’s future STEM job opportunities.
The district news release stated the following benefits for AP students due to the grant program:
- Reduced costs for their AP tests
- Eligibility for AP STEM scholarships
Michael Griffin, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at NISD, touted the dividends the program is already paying.
“Our district already partnered with NMSI for industry-leading training for teachers and administrators, and thanks to the [Department of Defense's] grant, we’re now able to receive that training at no cost,” she said. “Students benefit when teachers have the opportunity to acquire deeper content knowledge that this grant funds.”
“NMSI’s College Readiness Program has proven to be exemplary in engaging students in STEM, especially students who are historically underrepresented in these subject areas,” Department of Defense STEM Director Louie Lopez said.
