About the TRC: Impact and Results

 

Achievements

Over its 20+ year history, the TRC can boast of the following achievements while working to improve STEM education in Texas.

• Over four million students across Texas have benefited from the improved instruction and performance of participating teachers. The program has developed the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity of approximately 46,000 teachers of science and mathematics through sustained and high intensity professional development. Many of these teachers serve as Science Teacher Mentors (STMs) and Mathematics Teacher Mentors (MTMs), and share their experiences with other teachers through mentoring, peer coaching, technical assistance, and workshops at the campus, district, and regional levels. Science and mathematics teachers in almost all of the state’s 254 counties have been the beneficiaries of this extensive statewide network.
• Transformed the culture of professional development into one that commits to a high quality, sustained, and results-driven support system that has a positive impact on teacher performance and student achievement.
• Received commendation from U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, policy makers, legislators, and business partners; inducted into the Texas Science Hall of Fame, and recognized by the Governor, the Senate and House of Representatives for distinguished achievements and contributions to supporting excellence in science education.

 

 

Program Results 2012-13

Each year, the TRC prepares a final report for the Texas Education Agency which details data and findings from the program. Below are highlights from the 2012-13 final report. The full report may be downloaded as a PDF document, for interested in learning more about this year’s results.

 

TRC Impact and Results by the Numbers

One Year Data: May 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
Student numbers based on an average student/teacher ratio of 84:1

 

Impact on Student Achievement

Through use of the TRC’s Immersion Model, the TRC can now link its professional development process to student achievement in the targeted schools. Doing so provides a window on the true value of professional development when it comes to improving student achievement.

 

 

 

Teacher Content Knowledge Highlights

As part of the professional development process, the TRC encourages it’s member Collaboratives to administer pre and post-tests to Mathematics and Science Teacher Mentors (MTM/STM) in targeted subject areas to gauge the effectiveness of training provided in those content areas.

 

During the 2012-13 grant year, Science Teacher Mentors had the opportunity to take pre and post-tests in Chemistry and Physics. Mathematics Teacher Mentors were assessed on Patterns, Functions, and Algebra.