Policy Research Initiative in Science Education

In 2010, the PRISE Research Group developed a new student outcome variable, SASS, using state measures of high school success in science and college readiness. This variable was used to determine the relationships of school support practices and teacher characteristics to positive student outcomes in science. New analyses completed during the 20102011 school year by the PRISE Research Group indicate that only a fraction of students in high-minority Texas high schools are as well prepared as their low-minority school counterparts. Only about 2% of Texas high-minority schools were identified as being well prepared in science and ready for college. These schools prepare students well in science; they also prepare students to be ready for college. In comparison, we identified about 16% of Texas low-minority high schools as highly successful high schools.