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Texas Scholars Program Comes to Stevenson Middle School
March 19th and March 22nd, 2007

Representing the Texas Scholars Program, speakers from Centerpoint Energy, L-R, Joe Berry, Lisa Foronda, Patrick Stephenson, Veronica Guillory	Our own Sylvia Harris, Stevenson's Academy D Counselor, coordinated the Texas Scholar program for 2007 (left).	Some of Stevenson's eighth graders chaperoned our guests between classrooms.	Ms. Guillory speaks to the students in Mr. Kammeyer's Room.	While Ms. Guillory speaks to the students, Ms. Foronda awaits her turn.
Patrick Stephenson speaks to the students in Mr. O'Neil's room.

We want to take the time to thank our speakers from CenterPoint Energy for taking the time to encourage our students to complete high school and to be ready for college course work. Thanks also go to Ms. Baldez, Mr. Kammeyer, and Mr. O'Neil for taking the online training to enable their students to take part in this program. These adults are going beyond their normal duties to enable our students to be  successful in school and beyond. Please take the time to check out the Texas Scholars website (below) and to read about the program.

Business people and college professors agree that many high school graduates are unprepared for higher education or work. Students themselves admit in survey after survey that they aren't particularly challenged in high school. They say classes are boring and complain that much of what they are asked to learn has little meaning or value in the real world.

Since 1992, through TBEC's Texas Scholars initiative (http://www.texasscholars.org/), business and higher education volunteers have taken the message directly to students in their classrooms.

"Opportunities come to those who are best prepared."

Increasing numbers of students responded to this challenge and made the effort to complete the courses required to be recognized as a Texas Scholar. The success of Texas Scholars also influenced state policy and now all students are required to enter 9th grade with a plan to complete the Recommended High School Program.

So TBEC has raised the bar. The new Texas Scholars - High School and Beyond initiative will motivate students to make and carryout specific plans for a transition to life after high school. To be recognized as a Texas Scholar, they will still be required to complete the Recommended Program, but also achieve at a Texas Ready standard, indicating readiness for college, the military or work. High Schools will be challenged to make their courses and programs more relevant and meaningful.