Houston ISD Board votes to compete for federal funding for 8 STEM schools

Houston Independent School District Board votes to compete for federal funding for eight new science, technology, engineering, and math instruction schools.

According to a press release from Houston Independent School District, "The HISD Board of Education voted Feb. 14 to move forward with a plan to compete for $12 million in federal grant funding to open eight new magnet schools emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math instruction. The measure passed with a 7-1 vote with Board President Anna Eastman opposed. All eight new STEM magnets would be whole-school programs, meaning every student in those schools would benefit from an instructional approach that emphasizes a rich STEM curriculum."

"The STEM-focused magnets will strengthen HISD's portfolio of school choice options and prepare more students at an earlier age to thrive in a 21st century economy," said Paula Harris, trustee, according to the release.

Houston Independent School District is at 4400 W. 18th St., Houston.

The Houston Independent School District is committed to providing a high-quality education for every child, regardless of where they live or what school they choose to attend. HISD has 279 schools and more than 203,000 students, making it the largest district in Texas and the seventh largest in the United States. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves in rigorous academic courses designed to prepare them for college and meaningful careers. Recent data shows the number of HISD students earning college credit on advanced placement exams and posting top scores on the SAT college entrance exam has never been higher. In addition, the district's graduation rate is at an all-time high, and the dropout rate is at an all-time low.