A+ Better Students

Inspiring Success, Stimulating Minds

Table of Contents
Introduction Background Project/Plan Kick-Off Science Fair Project Implementation Six Flags Reward Trip Staffing Budget Conclusion Reference 3 3 5 6 7 8 8 10 11 12

Introduction
Dallas recently had the highest number of subpar TAKS performing schools- 35, accounting for 8% of total Texas subpar schools and twice as many as Houston (Rado, 2012). We at Texas Instruments, a technology industry leader located here in Dallas, believe it is our social responsibility to help cultivate a stronger math and science base in the area. A + Better Students is a program designed to not only outfit schools with TI calculators, but also to instill a sense of curiosity and joy regarding math and science. Once they have the necessary tools and proper motivation, students will view these subjects as less intimidating, and test scores will improve. We will start with five poorly performing local high schools. These schools will receive TI calculators to aid students in Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Physics and other higher level courses. To provide motivation, we will host a kick-off gala with demonstrations and experiments to show students how math and science can be enjoyable and valuable. As a further incentive, the 200 highest scoring students will earn a trip to Six Flags over Texas. Students will be rewarded with a fun day, as well as use their new calculators to work through various problems relating to the roller coasters at the park. We believe that our calculators are tools, not solutions. Students at subpar schools may see these difficult classes as impossible, but with the aid of a TI calculator, and a little push, we believe an impact can be made on the entire student body; to strive for higher education and to excel in any future field.

Background
Texas Instruments believes education should be paramount and has already implemented numerous programs aimed at helping students achieve success in math and science. In addition to the A + Better Students program, TI has donated $150 million towards improving the quality of math and science education in the United States (TI, 2013). We hope to add this program to our various outreach programs, which include the Advanced Placement Incentive Program and TI-Math Forward. Both are similar programs designed to encourage student interest in technological fields and attempt more challenging courses throughout their scholastic career (TI, 2012). Our new program seeks to provide the hardware as well as the desire to curb the recent trend of poor academic performance in Dallas. There are two ways that Texas schools are judged on how well they perform. The No Child Left Behind Act, passed in 2002, and Texas own rating system can have conflicting results and can make a school appear to have a higher rating (Rado, 2010). For example, the No Child Left Behind Act can declare that a school is doing poorly, but Texas system can rate it as acceptable. The No Child Left Behind Act tests schools based on tenth grade reading and math, whereas Texas own rating system tests ninth grade reading and math, and tenth and eleventh grade reading, math, social studies, and science (Rado, 2010).

We have targeted the five lowest overall performing high schools within the Dallas Independent School District which could benefit the most from our proposed program. These five schools are: Maceo New Tech High School David W. Carter High School North Dallas High School W.W. Samuell High School H. Grady Spruce High School

These schools have the poorest performance in math and science, in addition to having low graduation rates (Rado, 2010). They are categorized as Stage 5 schools because they have repeatedly failed the federal rating system for the last six years. According to the No Child Left Behind Act, Stage 5 schools have an option of closing down and improving specific programs before reopening (Rado, 2010).

2011 TAKS Scores

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 9th Grade Math 10th Grade Math 10th Grade Science 11th Grade Science A. Maceo New Tech David W. Carter North Dallas W.W. Samuell H. Grady Spruce Statewide

Sources: GreatSchools, 2012 Smisko, 2012

As shown in the graph above, each of these schools is underperforming in all categories when compared with the state average. Below, Table 1 shows the student to teacher ratio as well as each schools overall rank in TAKS scores. Each school is performing in the bottom 25% in math and science, and there appears to be no correlation between the poor performance and the student to teacher ratio. We believe this poor academic performance is caused by a lack of student interest as well as a deficiency in supplies such as scientific calculators.

Table 1 (Texas High School Rankings, 2013)

School A. Maceo New Tech David W. Carter North Dallas W.W. Samuell H. Grady Spruce Students 816 1214 1527 2051 999 Student/Teacher Ratio 12.3 13.6 14.1 15.6 12.7 Rank (of 1517) 1385 1349 1245 1336 1229

These schools are in dire need of help from outside companies such as Texas Instruments. We feel that students can benefit from the use of high-powered calculators for their math and science classes. The calculators will aid them in their course work, which will ultimately help them improve their test scores. This initiative will help remove these schools from the Stage 5 list, in addition to creating genuine student interest. We would like every student in upper level math and science classes to have an opportunity to own their rented calculator at the end of the semester. The students will accomplish this goal by performing at a higher standard in their problem subjects (e.g. math) and raising their state test scores. After this goal is met, they will earn their trip to Six Flags at the end of the semester. The Six Flags trip will allow students to use their knowledge of math and science to answer challenging, engaging questions about the rides and activities they encounter at the park. This closing event will help the students observe how math and science can apply to their world beyond the classroom. Students will be encouraged to explore higher education, which will usher more bright young people into the technology, math, and science fields.

Project/Plan
Our proposed project has the ultimate goal of fostering creative thinking and problem solving in young students. The three components of our project will help solidify the concept that higher education and learning. Proficiency in math and science will help forge future projects that these young students could eventually pioneer. It takes one idea, one Bill Gates, one Cecil Green, to spark the ideas of many; therefore, impacting the life of one student can make all the difference in our future. Our main project goal takes place in the classroom throughout the school year. An opening and closing event help create interest as well as help students cast a vision for what they can accomplish in the future. The following pages help outline each of the three components of our overall project and show how each contributes to our goal of increasing not only test scores but understanding and intrigue as well.

Kick-Off Science Fair Event Date: August 1, 2013, 4pm-7pm Location: Texas Instruments SC Building Guests:

Interested students and their families from the 5 targeted high schools Science fair presenters including Bill Nye, NASA, and the Ross Perot Museum

Master of Ceremonies: Mayim Bailik, TVs Amy Farrah Fowler from The Big Bang Theory

To create interest and excitement for our project, we hope to plan a Kick-off Science Fair that will show participating students what they can help accomplish in the future. The projects end goal is to ultimately inspire and equip young students to seek advanced education in various fields in engineering and science. To help cast a vision for this goal, the event will give students an opportunity to participate in an advanced science fair. Displays from various companies and organizations will be presented and open for hands-on participation. The event will be hosted by Mayim Bailik, TIs newest spokesperson. She joined our company to help with our Women in STEM programs and is also extremely involved in childrens education. Including her in this event not only increases its visibility but will also hopefully encourage higher attendance among young women and show them that science and math are viable career fields. Organizations that pioneer the latest scientific advances, such as NASA, will be invited to set up displays and presentations that can help inspire young minds to think creatively. These presentations will include scaled down models, video clips, working equipment, and live speakers that will physically show students how science, math and engineering can help shape future technologies and ideas. One of our key presenters this year will be Bill Nye the Science Guy. Very few people have done more to spark interest in the sciences for youths than Bill Nye. He has offered to present a few of his more entertaining experiments. He will also be available to sign autographs. Texas Instruments will also have various booths and tables set up to encourage students to explore the calculators that they will be working with in the upcoming fall. Activities and workshops will be set up so students can discover and create interest in the calculators features. We will also have a presentation from members of our BEST program. Designed around a robotics competition, it is another avenue in the engineering field students will be encouraged to investigate (Texas Instruments, 2012). Press packs will be given to each sponsor. These press packs will include more information about the project, as well as promotional items from the various organizations participating in the science fair. Students will be given a press pack that explains the program in detail to generate excitement for the upcoming semester and the Six Flags reward trip.

Project Implementation Date of Distribution: August 5th, 2013 Selected Schools and Calculators Received: Maceo New Tech High School: 655 David W. Carter High School: 975 North Dallas High School: 1225 W.W. Samuell High School: 1645 H. Grady Spruce High School: 800

Selected Classes: Algebra 1 & 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Physics Our project aims to equip each of the five targeted schools with calculators for students to use in the classroom. Many students are unable to grasp concepts and lessons when they do not have access to their own calculator that they can use to personally solve equations and problems. Demonstrations cannot replace the inquisitiveness and hands on participation that students experience when plugging in numbers and equations on their own. The project allows students to earn their own calculator at the end of the year. Having their own calculator will allow students to spend more time on advanced assignments at home, stimulating independent curiosity. Students can earn their own calculator by accomplishing a certain grade point average in the class and reaching a higher standard on state test scores. The students who seek to learn and excel will be rewarded with a new tool that will help them succeed in a higher level math class. In addition to earning their own calculator, students will be further motivated by a chance to attend the Six Flag reward trip. We estimate that 70-80% of a schools total student body would be enrolled in the classes where our calculators can be of assistance. Each schools official enrollment figures will be used to distribute enough calculators to meet an 80% need. The schools would receive the above amounts, based on their 2012 enrollment (refer to Table 1). Throughout the semester, we hope to meet the principals and teachers of each school separated to measure the success of the project so far. Keeping the faculty engaged in the process with the students is paramount. This will also provide a chance for the schools to provide feedback toward improving the project to better fit students needs. We would deliver the calculators August 5th, 2013, two weeks in advance of the fall semester starting. If any problems arise, our project director will ensure that all schools have their complete needs met before any student is negatively impacted. Throughout the semester, if the built-in surplus proves insufficient, we will have reserves to replenish the broken or lost calculators.

Six Flags Reward Trip Proposed Event Date: May 14, 2014 (During a school day) Proposed Event Location: Six Flags over Texas (Arlington, TX) Selected Students: The top 40 performing students from each school as recommended by faculty The goal of the reward trip is to help celebrate the end of the year, as well as further motivate students to try harder and earn their calculators. The event is meant to be a reward students can strive for throughout the school year. Being able to focus on this goal seems far more appealing than just performing well on a standardized test. Not only will their grades and test scores factor in, but also recommendations by the faculty to ensure that a students effort is rewarded positively as well. During the day at Six Flags, the children will be given calculators, stop watches, and problem packets to be solved using information gathered by riding the roller coasters. When the group meets up at various times, the attending teachers can elaborate on the principles covered in the problems. However, the main point of the day is to reward the students for their hard work. The better the time they have on the trip, the more likely they are to continue their success, and also instill interest in their peers when they talk about the day they had.

Staffing
Project Director
Oversee all operations of fair

Event Coordinator
Plan event, contact speakers, deligate to volunteer coordinator

Company Liason
Provide link between TI and companies/ entertainers

Volunteer Coordinator
Assign booths/tasks for volunteers, ensure smooth operations

Experiment Supervisor
Ensure safety of experiments

Volunteers
TI employees, (25-30)

Bill Nye

NASA

TI Robotics

Ross Perot Museum

Project Implementation

Project Director
Oversee all aspects of project, Communicate status to Board

Company Liason
Coordinate staff between schools, Manage operations

Principals
Support teachers, coordinate status meetings

Teachers
Revise lecture plans for emphasis on enthusiasm, tailor assignments to involve calculators

Drivers
Deliver calculators to schools

Student Tutors
Former A+ students mentor underclassmen, extra credit

Six Flags Over Texas

Project Director
Oversee field trip

Teachers
Assist Director, aid students with experiements

Bus Drivers
Drive students from respective schools to Six Flags and back

25 (5 per school)

200 students (8 students per teacher)

10 (2 per school)

Budget
Our project strives to be as inexpensive as possible. As a rollout program over 5 years, our initial costs are $68,700, with a yearly recurring cost of $41,700 for the extent of the program. The estimated budget over the entire 5 years is $235,500. We figure an allotment of $70,000 in Year 1 and an additional $45,000 each following year for a total of $250,000 will allow us to meet all of our cost needs. An in-depth cost analysis of each component of our program follows. Kick-Off Science Fair:
Kick=Off Science Fair Item Cost Location Free Food/Refreshments $5,000 Exhibits $1,500 Booking $25,000 Informational Packets $100

Texas Instruments will host the event, so the cost for hosting the event will be free. We will provide catered BBQ buffet style food and refreshments, with a maximum cost of $5,000. In order to set up the booths and fund the experiments, an amount of $1,500 will be set aside. We will produce informational packets for students and their $31,600 parents in house at a total cost of $100. The largest expense Total of this event is booking fees. For our first annual event, we will have Bill Nye, the celebrity scientist, representatives from NASA, and TI spokesperson Mayim Bailik. A tentative $25,000 has been set aside, though this would be an area where extra funds may need to be diverted. Calculator Disbursement:

The main part of our project, the distribution of TI-34s to the schools has multiple facets. The first is the initial costs of issuing the calculators. We estimate that 80% of the students each year from each school will attend classes in which our Calculator Disbursement calculators are used. From our selected schools, the Item Cost number of calculators needed would be 5,300. We would $27,000 be able to cost out each unit at a price of $5.04, for a total Year 1 Distribution $2,500 cost of $27,000. Following each year, 200 calculators Yearly Replacement Total Replacement Cost $12,500 would be given to the top performers, at a cost of $1,150. Another $1,350 would be set aside to cover any damaged Total for Five Years $39,500 or stolen units throughout the year, for a yearly replacement cost of $2,500. The delivery will be done by either volunteers who sign up at the Kick-off or TI employees associated with the project, and thus their costs will be lumped into the companys goodwill fund (Texas Instruments, 2012).

Six Flags Field Trip:

With a group of 200+, tickets are $15. If parents would like to join their child as chaperones, their ticket cost will not be included, but a ticket at our discount rate may be purchased. Each student will receive $10 to spend how Six Flags Field Trip they may at the park. A lunch will be provided from the Cost various park restaurants, with that cost included in the Item $4,000 ticket cost. A total of 10 buses, 2 per school, will be Tickets Transportation $1,500 required. As per DISD guidelines, each driver will earn Individual Spending Cash $2,000 $14.70 an hour and $0.35 for each mile. Depending on Problem Packets $100 the need for the buses, our budget is flexible enough to incorporate paying for the whole day of waiting or the Total $7,600 extra gas for multiple trips. Packets with fun science facts about roller coasters and problems for the students to work on will cost $100, produced in house.

Conclusion
There can be no doubt that technology will play a major role in our coming future. In every other hard period throughout history, a technological advance has driven mankind forward. Now, in these tough times, we need that boost more than ever. However, we now face the problem that American minds can no longer provide these innovations. Texas Instruments has already initiated numerous projects in the pursuit of producing better science and math minds. A + Better Students is the next evolution of that pursuit. This project will put calculators in students hands and at every step emphasis that math and science are exciting, world altering career fields. Excitement breeds passion and passion is the fuel that drives innovation. Make students excited about a subject, give them the proper means to success, and you will always be amazed at the results. With a low budget, great potential for growth, and immeasurable gains, the question should not be whether to approve this project. It should be, When can we get started?. One mind is all it takes to change the world; A+ Better Students will benefit at least five thousand young minds in just one year. Everyone says children are our future, but then they forget to give our future a nudge in the right direction. A+ Better Students is a positive step towards assuring society as a whole, with Texas at its forefront, will continue to progress by the same leaps and bounds in the 21st century that we did in the 20th.

Reference
GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/ Rado, D. (2010, March 7). 10 Dallas ISD high schools have lowest federal rating | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20100306-10-Dallas-ISD-highschools-have-4415.ece Rado, D. (2012). 35 Dallas ISD schools make states annual list of subpar campuses | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20130110-35-dallas-isd-schoolsmake-states-annual-list-of-subpar-campuses.ece Smisko, A. (2012). Dallas Isd Staar and Taks. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/105836314/Dallas-Isd-Staar-and-Taks Texas High School Rankings. (2013, March). Retrieved from http://www.schooldigger.com/go/TX/schoolrank.aspx?level=3&sortexp=LCITY&sortdir=a &year=2011&findletter=D Texas Instruments K-12 Education Programs. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/csr/downloads/TI_Education%20FactSheet_K-12.pdf TI Fact sheet. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/company/factsheet.shtml