University of Texas System - Institute for Public School Initiatives

Initiatives

The University of Texas System Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI) improves public education in Texas by addressing important challenges facing educators today. IPSI initiatives/projects tackle tough issues such as improving student performance, high school graduation rates, reading proficiency, and college enrollment rates. It draws upon the outstanding research being conducted at UT System institutions to provide services directly to students and teachers. Only after rigorous evaluation does IPSI cultivate programs that are scaleable and replicable across Texas, only after rigorous evaluation. IPSI work is divided into four initiatives: Academic Foundations, College Readiness, College Access, and Educator Quality.

Academic Foundations

Provides technical assistance, professional development, and innovative programs to promote researched-based instruction.

Texas Reading First Initiative – This $43 million program, funded by the Texas Education Agency over five years, provides on-site technical assistance and professional development to improve reading instruction in 694 Texas public schools, benefiting 217,000 students. Read more...
UT Elementary Charter School – Is the first university-sponsored charter school in Texas. Operated by UT Austin, UTES uses innovative, research based instructional methods. The school opened its doors in August 2003 to predominantly low-income students from east Austin and will serve pre-k through the 5th grade this fall. Read more...

College Readiness

Provides tools and model school programs to prepare high school students for college.

Early College High Schools, (ECHS) – With funding from the Texas High School Project, UT San Antonio established three ECHS in partnership with the East Central, Southside and Southwest Independent School Districts in 2004. UT Pan American opened its ECHS partnership school with Hidalgo ISD in August 2006. ECHS blend high school and college curriculum allowing underserved students to earn up to two years of college credit while they earn a high school diploma. Read more...
TRACK – In cooperation with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and with funding from the Houston Endowment and Meadows Foundation, the UT System launched this free online tool in 2004 helping more than 250,000 students prepare for the exit-level TAKS test required for graduation. TRACK helps students pinpoint TEKS learning needs as they take practice tests and work with hundreds of interactive tutorials mapped to specific learning objectives. Read more...

College Access

Provides tools and programs to increase college access for all student populations.

Volunteer Corps for College – The UT System provides statewide coordination of college and financial aid counseling. IPSI leverages human resources at all nine UT academic campuses for volunteer outreach programs in high-need high schools and low-income communities. Read more...
Café con Leche – Staff at the University of Texas System and other UT institutions will host Café con Leche (coffee with milk), a series of informal meetings with prospective UT college students and their parents. These conversation starters are meant to dramatically increase awareness of college opportunities at 130 high schools across Texas with historically low college attendance rates. Read more...
Texas College Money–This internet and human based service offers high school juniors and their families a realistic estimate of the financial aid they can expect to receive if they are admitted and enroll at any UT campus. Moreover, it offers a “one stop” shopping experience and demystifies the otherwise complicated experience of applying for financial aid. Read more...
College Planning Web Portal – The UT System is also working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and other state agencies, postsecondary institutions, and businesses to develop a collaborative single-source web portal for Texas college information, preparation, application and financing. Read more...

Educator Quality

Provides tools, programs, and research to assist Texas public schools with improving
teacher quality.

Teacher Assistance Program (TAP) – In partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and TEA, IPSI manages TAP to improve teacher quality and retention. TAP provides differentiated compensation for teachers and principals based on classroom performance and the academic success of students. TAP balances a rigorous accountability system with strong support for teachers and school leaders. Read more...
Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF)– In May 2007, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the UT System a $1.4 million grant to boost recruitment and retention of teachers and principals at some of the state’s most economically disadvantaged public schools. The grant will be distributed to the UT System’s Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) program and will be funded for five years with approximately $25.5 million dedicated to rewarding high-performing teachers and principals in 27 schools that serve high poverty and minority students. IPSI will administer the grant. Read more...
Technical Assistance Project / Texas Governor’s Educator Excellence Award Programs – In partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), IPSI is providing statewide technical assistance to support Texas public school districts and charter schools with ongoing guidance in developing and implementing successful research-based educator performance pay systems and to build capacity for long term support of these programs across the state. To support this work IPSI has developed a collaborative partnership that brings together nationally-recognized expertise such as Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, the Texas Schools Project at the University of Texas at Dallas, and J. Koppich & Associates. Read more...
Teacher Preparation Study – In partnership with the UT System, the National Center for Educational Accountability (NCEA) is examining the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs at UT System institutions. By identifying and investigating best practices and sharing this information with college administrators, substantive and positive changes in teacher preparation programs can be made. Read more...

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