Download the full press release here.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alex Chandler
Director of Communications & Community Relations
E3 Alliance
Mobile: (512) 680-4824
AChandler@E3Alliance.org
Greater Texas Foundation provides pivotal grant to reduce math inequities for Black and Hispanic Students in Central Texas
Austin, Texas (For Immediate Release) – E3 Alliance is pleased to receive a $909,000, multi-year grant from Greater Texas Foundation to continue our Pathways of Promise initiative to improve equity in math acceleration and instruction for Central Texas students. Data shows that taking advanced math better prepares students for postsecondary success and taking Algebra I by 8th grade helps to ensure they are on that math trajectory. The grant will allow E3 Alliance to build on several exciting outcomes from the past year of work, which were the following:
- For our top performing 5th grade students, we saw vast improvements in middle school advanced math course-taking across Central Texas in all student populations, with our Asian student group remaining steady.
- Among those top performing 5th grade students, the gap between low-income and non-low-income students completing Algebra I by the end of 8th grade decreased by more than one-third, from 17 percent to 11 percent.
- Among our Black and Hispanic top performing 5th graders, the race gap reduced by 75 percent!
- The percentage of all students completing Algebra I by the end of 8th grade is rapidly increasing, and our region has the highest completion rate in the state, at 41 percent.
Visit our online Central Texas Education Profile for more comprehensive data on math pathways.
Despite these substantial improvements, equity gaps remain across elementary through postsecondary math pathways. To exacerbate this challenge, the coronavirus pandemic interrupted education, particularly impacting low-income students of color. E3 Alliance will redouble and expand efforts to provide equitable access to advanced math courses for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students, while delivering supports to educators and parents. During the next three years, E3 will specifically focus on increasing the percentage of Black, Hispanic, and low-income students:
- Taking accelerated math by 6th grade
- Enrolled in Algebra I by 8th grade
- Pursuing or completing the STEM Endorsement
- Completing college level math (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual credit courses) in high school
- Accessing and completing college
“We intend to create a common profile for policies and practices based on practitioner wisdom and student data, with a particular emphasis on building sustainability around better serving our underserved student populations,” said Director of Community Solutions at E3 Alliance, Thymai Dong, PhD. “Collaborating with the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity and the five districts participating in their work, along with our own area school districts and institutions of higher learning, we have the greatest opportunity to increase the number of students in advanced math and successful course completion.”
In addition to these efforts, E3 will execute proven training practices, work closely with districts to disaggregate data, and use continuous improvement processes to ensure equitable practices are regularly examined as part of the school culture. For an example of one local school’s success, watch the story of the Jackson sisters and their journey taking advanced math within the Stony Point Learning Community at PFC Robert P. Hernandez Middle School in Round Rock ISD : English and Spanish.
Since 2014, with the support of Greater Texas Foundation, E3 has worked to better understand how secondary course taking aligns to college and career success. Nowhere has that link been clearer than in mathematics.
“Having strong math skills is a critical key to success in college and career,” said Sue McMillin, President and CEO of Greater Texas Foundation. “E3 Alliance and their partners are working relentlessly to make sure every student has the opportunity to develop those skills. We are excited to see this important work continue.”
About E3 Alliance
E3 Alliance (Education Equals Economics) is a nationally recognized, data-driven education collaborative in Central Texas, with a mission to transform education systems so all students succeed. Founded in 2006, E3 Alliance partners with 15 independent school districts, eight Institutions of Higher Education (IHE), Region XIII Education Service Center, and over 200 community and industry partners. These organizations work together to advance The Blueprint for Educational Change™, the regional strategic plan to build the strongest educational pipeline in the country. Learn more at www.E3Alliance.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube.
About Greater Texas Foundation
Greater Texas Foundation supports efforts to ensure Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete postsecondary education. Since its 2001 inception, GTF has approved more than $90 million in grants to support Texas students. Learn more at www.greatertexasfoundation.org.
