Region 04

Houston

Began 8th grade in 2008

75,492 students

Graduated from high school

58,954 (78.1%)

Statewide: 78.8%

Enrolled in college

40,847 (54.1%)

Statewide: 53.1%

Graduated from college

18,034 (23.9%)

Statewide: 23.2%

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 75,492 students in Region 04 who began eighth grade in 2008, 23.9 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 1997 is about 38 years old; one who started 8th grade in 2008 is now about 27.

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

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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, 2008

Ethnicity Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Black 16,308 12,112 9,003 2,522
Hispanic 32,627 24,520 14,448 5,508
White 21,763 18,020 13,979 7,701
Other 4,794 4,302 3,417 2,303
Total 75,492 58,954 40,847 18,034

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, 2008

Gender Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Female 36,951 29,594 21,656 10,417
Male 38,541 29,360 19,191 7,617
Total 75,492 58,954 40,847 18,034

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, 2008

Economic status Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Disadvantaged 40,851 29,589 17,825 5,799
Not disadvantaged 34,641 29,365 23,022 12,235
Total 75,492 58,954 40,847 18,034