High-Tech High School

Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in the January/February 2008 issue of Fiscal Notes.

Technical training is a high priority for tomorrow’s work force. State officials hope to address this need with the $80 million Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Initiative, a program intended to spark innovative educational ideas and produce at least 3,500 graduates each year who will pursue careers in various science, engineering and technical disciplines.

One part of the initiative, which is backed by a combination of state and federal funding and private donations, will create 35 Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (TSTEM) academies across the state. Fifteen of these academies opened in fall 2007.

Manor Independent School District opened its 167-student New Technology High School in August, and it’s already creating a buzz.

“Students are thrilled with the new instructional methodology,” says Mark Diaz, Manor ISD’s superintendent. All of the work there is project-based, much like work in the real world. For example, students were asked to create promotional posters for the school using the latest design software.

“The students were almost arguing about who would make their presentation first,” Diaz says.