Ector County
Began 8th grade in 2011
2,048 students
Graduated from high school
1,443 (70.5%)
Statewide: 81.1%
Enrolled in college
968 (47.3%)
Statewide: 51.8%
Graduated from college
341 (16.7%)
Statewide: 22.0%
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 2011.
Of the 2,048 students in Ector County who began 8th grade in 2011, 16.7 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 41 years old; one who started 8th grade in 2011 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.
Outcome of 8th grade class by ethnicity, 2011
| Ethnicity | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 74 | 50 | 31 | 8 |
| Hispanic | 1,396 | 978 | 640 | 210 |
| White | 518 | 371 | 263 | 105 |
| Other | 60 | 44 | 34 | 18 |
| Total | 2,048 | 1,443 | 968 | 341 |
Class outcomes by ethnicity over time, 1997-2011
Black
Hispanic
White
Other
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, 2011
| Gender | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 1,006 | 737 | 545 | 205 |
| Male | 1,042 | 706 | 423 | 136 |
| Total | 2,048 | 1,443 | 968 | 341 |
Class outcomes by gender over time, 1997-2011
Female
Male
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, 2011
| Economic status | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disadvantaged | 1,002 | 617 | 357 | 86 |
| Not disadvantaged | 1,046 | 826 | 611 | 255 |
| Total | 2,048 | 1,443 | 968 | 341 |