Region 04

Houston

Began 8th grade in 2007

73,414 students

Graduated from high school

56,618 (77.1%)

Statewide: 78.2%

Enrolled in college

40,109 (54.6%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

17,037 (23.2%)

Statewide: 22.8%

Each year, approximately 300,000 students begin eighth grade in a Texas public school. National employment and earnings statistics suggest that these students will have materially better prospects as adults if they finish high school and enroll in and complete a post-secondary certificate or degree program. Using data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency, the Tribune is providing a look into the outcomes of students who started eighth grade in a Texas public school over the past nine years.

Of the 73,414 students in Region 04 who began eighth grade in 2007, 23.2 percent received a certificate or degree from a Texas college or university within six years of their anticipated high school graduation date. For context, a 13-year-old student who started 8th grade in 1996 is about 35 years old; one who started 8th grade in 2007 is now about 25.

We have broken down these numbers by ethnicity, gender and economic status.

Ethnicity

A breakdown, by ethnicity, of outcomes for cohorts of students who attended eighth grade in a Texas public school. You can see who graduated from high school, who enrolled in higher education and who completed a certificate or degree.

Outcome of 8th grade class by ethnicity, 2007

Ethnicity Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Black 16,341 11,958 9,148 2,491
Hispanic 30,602 22,477 13,570 4,935
White 21,957 18,175 14,133 7,444
Other 4,514 4,008 3,258 2,167
Total 73,414 56,618 40,109 17,037

Gender

A breakdown, by gender, of outcomes for cohorts of students who attended eighth grade in a Texas public school. You can see who graduated from high school, who enrolled in higher education and who completed a certificate or degree.

Outcome of 8th grade class by gender, 2007

Gender Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Female 35,501 28,297 21,181 9,836
Male 37,913 28,321 18,928 7,201
Total 73,414 56,618 40,109 17,037

Economic status

A breakdown, by economic status, of outcomes for cohorts of students who attended eighth grade in a Texas public school. You can see who graduated from high school, who enrolled in higher education and who completed a certificate or degree.

Outcome of 8th grade class by economic status, 2007

Economic status Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Disadvantaged 37,004 26,141 16,213 4,972
Not disadvantaged 36,410 30,477 23,896 12,065
Total 73,414 56,618 40,109 17,037