Urban Systemic Initiative (USI)
1994-1999

Focused on the city’s three largest school districts, USI was designed to support three key goals:

• to engage all area students in the study of challenging, rich, high quality mathematics and science at every point in their schooling;
• to dramatically turn around student achievement levels in mathematics and science among all students; and,
• to create a cooperative, unified system supporting all students toward high achievement.

At the conclusion of its funding period, the El Paso USI was able to show clear evidence of its contribution to improving student achievement, and influencing changes in teacher and administrator practice that occurred in classrooms, schools and across districts. By 1998-99, more than twice the number of students passed all portions of the TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills) in comparison to 1993. Enrollments and pass rates in college preparatory mathematics and science courses also rose greatly. The USI also contributed to much improved math/science teaching practices among teachers as well as increased administrator support and commitment toward placing the highest priority on higher level math/science teaching and learning.