BACKGROUND
The 2000 US Census Bureau reported that the geographic area of the Wheatley Feeder Pattern is remarkable in terms of the youth of its residents. The feeder pattern and its families face significant hurdles in accessing postsecondary education, as evidenced particularly by the low educational attainment overall of the population. Studies have shown that successful completion of high level mathematics courses in the high school years is highly correlated with subsequent college entry and completion of a college degree.

INITIATIVE OVERVIEW
The vision of Wheatley High School is to create college- and career-ready graduates. The Wheatley HS Preparing to Dream proposal seeks to strengthen math instruction beginning with the 9th grade class; To increase enrollment in and acquiring successful completion of a four-year mathematics program at Wheatley High School for this same cohort of 9th graders; And, to increase the number of graduating students from this cohort of 9th graders enrolling in a two or four year college and or technical school.

PARTNERSHIPS
In addition to cross-district collaboration, business, civic and higher educational leadership are engaged in the initiative via a coordinating board that includes representation from the Greater Houston P-16+ Council, the Center for Houston’s Future and the Greater Houston Partnership, NCAN, and Houston A+ Challenge. Wheatley High School also has formed collaborative partnerships with Project Grad, Gear Up, Texas A&M at Prairie View, UH Downtown and TSU Upward Bound programs and Houston Community College.

OBJECTIVES
A longitudinal study of student performance of Wheatley High School conducted by Houston ISD’s Research and Accountability program revealed gaps in college readiness, retention and degree completion. The majority of Wheatley students did not have access to higher level mathematics courses, beyond Algebra II; they enrolled in Advanced Placement, AP, classes in fewer numbers; they chose rigorous coursework less frequently; there was a systematic drain of students away from the high school; the numbers of students who graduated in four years was low; and the students had low numbers of enrollment in either a two or four-year college.

In response to this data, three objectives were adopted:

• Strengthen math instruction from 9th – 12th grade by increasing the rigor and quality in the math classrooms.
• Increase enrollment in and passing a four year program of mathematics in high school including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and AP/Dual Credit math courses at WHS and;
• Increase the number of graduating seniors enrolling in a two or four year college and or technical school.

TEAM MEMBERS (click here to see the full list)

TEAM REFLECTIONS
Wheatley feeder pattern school participants including principals, lead teachers, counselors, college specialists, parents and students have all embraced the Wheatley High School Preparing To Dream objectives and are not only very enthusiastic in working to achieve the goals, but also have a strong belief that because every one is involved, Teamwork will make the Dream Work: TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK.

MORE INFORMATION
Contact Lupita Hinojosa
Executive Principal, North Region, Houston ISD
(713) 671-4530 or lhinojos@houstonisd.org