Houston, TX May 25, 2004

Project GRAD Celebrates Decade
of Turning Tassels and Changing Lives

Melissa Carroll, Director of Public Relations
Project GRAD Houston
Tel. 832-325-0301 Cell 713-253-6953
mcarroll@projectgradhouston.org

An estimated 3,000 parents gathered at the George R. Brown Convention Center to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Project GRAD (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) Houston, a comprehensive education reform program that serves students, teachers and families at economically disadvantaged schools.

Project GRAD’s method of improving curriculum and teaching methodologies, as well as elevating academic standards for students in impoverished areas, is especially important for minority students.   Without intervention, the achievement level of minority students in the ninth grade is two to four years behind that of whites.   As a result, minorities obtain college degrees at half the rate of white students.

“Project GRAD is working to ensure all students have an equal playing field, and for the past 10 years our success rates prove that the program works,” said Project GRAD Founder James L. Ketelsen, who began the program when he was the CEO of Tenneco.   “In Davis High School, where we started our effort, graduation rates have increased by 77 percent and college attendance has tripled.”  

The Houston-based program has grown to 73 public schools and more than 48,000 students in the Houston Independent School District and is in 12 other cities nationally.   Through a five-pronged reform approach that includes mathematics, literacy, classroom management and discipline, family support, and a scholarship program, the initiative addresses the obstacles to student success both at home and school.  

“Project GRAD Houston has made marked progress toward closing the achievement gap between whites and minorities during the past decade, and we could not have done it without the support of our community, including every parent here tonight,” said Roy Hughes, executive director of Project GRAD Houston. “This celebration demonstrates the power of possibilities. Project GRAD has helped remove the barriers to success for these families, and by showing their support, now they are helping Project GRAD extend its reach to others.”

Project GRAD relies heavily on parental involvement in combating the school dropout problem. As such, the program has developed a comprehensive program called Parent University to involve the entire family in the education process.   Project GRAD annually sponsors Walk for Success, during which volunteers visit the homes of students to inform them of the Project GRAD Scholarship and educational opportunities for parents at the school.   Last year, the program informed parents of public and private community resources, hosted Parent University Workshops for more than 3,000 individual parents, and encouraged more than 16,000 parents to sign contracts that commit their children to the academic expectations of the Project GRAD program.

During the event, 30 families known as the “Parent Pals” presented Ketelsen with a $500 donation they raised through bake-offs, pencil and jewelry sales, and other fundraisers.   Parent Pals started two years ago after Project GRAD inspired adults to become active in their children’s education and serve as mentors to other school parents.       

“The contribution these families made to Project GRAD tonight means more than money; it signifies the ultimate in parent support,” said William Rios, director of parent and community relations.    “It is rewarding to see such active participation from these families, many of which were not fully integrated into their children’s education process before the introduction of Project GRAD in their communities.”

In addition to increasing parental involvement in education, Project GRAD helps families financially.   For all students who fulfill the program requirements, Project GRAD provides a minimum scholarship of $4,000 to attend any accredited college or university in the United States.   More than 2,000 students have entered college using the Project GRAD Scholarship since 1992.

“Project GRAD brought a positive feeling and hope to the community. It has given kids hope to go to college,” said parent Theresia Spearman-Sam who learned math skills through Project GRAD in order to help her son with his homework.   She has since become heavily involved in the program and is now the president of the Parent Teacher Organization at her school.  

“I started Project GRAD because I firmly believe that every child deserves an opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Ketelsen.   “I believe that if our nation does not do something to address the problems in its under-performing schools many students, and eventually the nation, will suffer.”

Project GRAD currently serves 133,000 students nationally in 217 schools in Akron, Atlanta, Brownsville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Kenai Peninsula, Knoxville, Lorain, Los Angeles, Newark, and Roosevelt, New York.  

Project GRAD Houston is a nonprofit, comprehensive, community-collaborative, school program that serves more than 48,000 students in 73 public schools in the Houston Independent School District (H.I.S.D.).   Founded by Jim Ketelsen, former chief executive officer of Tenneco, the scholarship program was initiated at Davis High School in 1992, the Project GRAD program was initiated in H.I.S.D. in 1993-1994, and has a proven track record of increasing graduation rates and improving student academic success.   For more information on Project GRAD Houston, please visit www.projectgradhouston.org.