Search

The Texas Scholars Program uses business and community involvement to motivate middle- and lower-ranked high school students to take and complete a rigorous academic curriculum to prepare them for the labor market or postsecondary education. The paper examines variables such as staff development, community involvement, support from the central office, and ways these contribute to a successful program. The focus is on the high expectations required of students by the Greater Longview Organization of Business and Education program which was initiated by a company seeking trained workers for its craft-type jobs. The Texas Scholars Program emphasizes businesspeople coming to the schools and to tell eighth graders what life is like outside school. Parents are involved, too, as they cooperate and communicate with teachers. Educators provide guidance to students and parents as students select courses. A number of student incentives, such as discount cards to local businesses, are part of the program. An appraisal of the program's effectiveness shows that classes like chemistry, computer science, and trigonometry have dramatically increased their enrollments. (Contains 31 references.) (RJM)