Building College Readiness and Instructional Excellence: NMSI and Ysleta ISD's Partnership Journey

Key Takeaways:

• Ysleta ISD’s collaboration with NMSI has led to measurable progress toward college-readiness goals, particularly in AP English, AP Math, and college prep courses. Through targeted training, classroom observations, and AP exam review sessions, the district is on track to meet benchmarks for graduating seniors in both reading and math.

• The partnership’s focus on curriculum implementation training has resulted in positive feedback from educators. Nearly all teachers reported improved pedagogical skills and confidence in enhancing student achievement, underscoring the value of experienced, classroom-tested coaches and customized support.

Ysleta Independent School District, located in El Paso, Texas, serves a diverse and dynamic community, including many families connected to nearby Fort Bliss. The district's leadership team is deeply committed to elevating teacher practice and strengthening student outcomes. Their partnership journey with the National Math and Science Initiative exemplifies what's possible when vision, dedication, and aligned support come together.  

A Vision Rooted in Commitment  

From the initial meeting in February 2025, it was clear that district leaders were passionate about empowering both teachers and campus leaders. Even while operating with a modest budget and anticipating a 2–5% annual decrease, Ysleta has maintained a steadfast focus on student success. Their approach reflects a deep commitment to sustainable improvement driven by strong instructional practice.  

Strategic Focus Areas: AP, Math, English, and College Prep  

To boost AP scores and college readiness by helping students meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment requirements , Ysleta district leaders collaborated with NMSI to support teachers for grades 11 and 12 in the following courses:  

• AP English  

• AP Math  

• College Prep English and Math  

Across 11 high schools, educators engaged in:  

• In-person and virtual curriculum implementation training  

• AP Exam review sessions in AP Literature, AP Language, Precalculus, and Calculus  

• Classroom observations and high-level instructional feedback  

Goals & Outcomes

Here are the goals Ysleta ISD identified to monitor throughout SY 25-26.

Goal 1: To have 40% of graduating seniors college-ready in both reading and math   

Outcome: Ysleta's target was for 40% of graduating seniors to meet college-readiness benchmarks through the TSI or the SAT.  The result was 54% of graduating seniors met college readiness standards in Reading and 40% met readiness standards in both Reading and Mathematics through the TSIA 2, SAT, or ACT. 

Goal 2: To increase the number of students earning a 3 or better in each of the four supported AP courses by 5% from the previous year 

Outcome: The district saw a 15% increase in students earning a score of 3 or higher from 2025 to 2026

Goal 3: To increase the percentage of graduating seniors that are college-ready in math to 45% 

Outcome: The district aimed at 45% college readiness for math. With current data showing 49% of seniors meeting college readiness standards in mathematics, Ysleta has exceeded their goal.  

Encouraging Feedback from Teachers  

Survey data from the in-person curriculum implementation trainings painted a clear picture of the impact:  

• 99% reported improved understanding of effective pedagogical practices  

• 98% said the training included meaningful, hands-on skill-building  

• 97% believed implementing the ideas would enhance student achievement  

One educator shared a compelling testimonial about the experience with NMSI Coach Luis Padilla:

"He made the information relatable to students and truly knew what he was teaching because he does this with kids. Often, training is provided by individuals who have never implemented the content themselves in the classroom. This is the first training, especially for TSI, that I have truly learned from and enjoyed. Thank you, Luis."  

This feedback highlights the value of having experienced, classroom-tested coaches leading the work. 

Leadership Support and Strong Relationships  

When asked what was most impactful about collaborating with NMSI, Teresa Barragin Turpin, Instructional Specialist of Advanced Academics for Ysleta ISD, said, "The [NMSI] coaches are respected and liked because of the time they've taken to get to know our educators on a first-name basis, and they find them engaging."    

In terms of how NMSI bolsters the district's goals, Richard Couder, Director of Advanced Academics, added, "By supporting our AP teachers, your coaches provided expertise to assist them with some of our largest classes like AP Language, as well as our newest course, AP Precalculus. And since TSI is the main source that we use to ensure students are college-ready, the strategies and resources NMSI provided helped teachers work with learning gaps some students had, and we see the growth in their scores."   

Looking Ahead  

Ysleta ISD's journey demonstrates dedication, strategic planning, and a deep belief that every student should graduate prepared for college and career success. Together with NMSI, they are outlining goals for school year 2026-27, with a focus on expanding services to additional teachers in the district. As the district continues to refine its strategies, the NMSI / Ysleta collaboration remains rooted in an unwavering commitment to support educators as they educate tomorrow’s innovators and problem solvers.

If you’re a school district leader and want to begin the conversation about how NMSI can help achieve your district’s STEM education goals, contact us today .

Frequently Asked Questions

• How has NMSI’s partnership impacted teacher development and student outcomes in Ysleta ISD? NMSI’s partnership has provided Ysleta ISD educators with hands-on, practical training and high-level instructional feedback. Survey data shows that 99% of teachers improved their understanding of effective teaching practices, and 97% believe these strategies will enhance student achievement.

• Why do teachers and leaders say the partnership works? District leaders cite the coaches' personal relationships with educators and NMSI's willingness to design something in response to the district's stated needs.

• What goals did Ysleta ISD set for the 2025–26 school year? Here are the goals set by the district: 1) 40% of graduating seniors would be college-ready in both reading and math, 2) to increase the percentage of students earning 3 or more or better in each of the four supported AP courses by 5% from the previous year, 3) and 45% of graduating seniors would be college-ready in math. 

• Did the district meet its goals for 2025-26? Yes. 40% of graduating seniors met readiness standards in both reading and math through the TSIA 2, SAT, or ACT, with 54% of them meeting the standard in reading.  For the second goal around AP performance, the district saw a 15% increase in students earning a score of 3 or higher from 2025 to 2026. For the third goal, 49% of seniors met college readiness standards in Mathematics – exceeding the 45% goal.