Denton County
Began 8th grade in 2008
7,893 students
Graduated from high school
6,597 (83.6%)
Statewide: 78.8%
Enrolled in college
4,477 (56.7%)
Statewide: 53.1%
Graduated from college
2,160 (27.4%)
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 from 1997 to 2008.
Of the 7,893 students in Denton County who began 8th grade in 2008, 27.4 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.
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.
Ethnicity | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 685 | 558 | 366 | 126 |
Hispanic | 1,715 | 1,357 | 694 | 253 |
White | 4,974 | 4,230 | 3,080 | 1,572 |
Other | 519 | 452 | 337 | 209 |
Total | 7,893 | 6,597 | 4,477 | 2,160 |
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.
Gender | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 3,872 | 3,293 | 2,350 | 1,229 |
Male | 4,021 | 3,304 | 2,127 | 931 |
Total | 7,893 | 6,597 | 4,477 | 2,160 |
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.
Economic status | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
---|---|---|---|---|
Disadvantaged | 2,057 | 1,551 | 739 | 217 |
Not disadvantaged | 5,836 | 5,046 | 3,738 | 1,943 |
Total | 7,893 | 6,597 | 4,477 | 2,160 |