Galveston County
Began 8th grade in 2007
5,630 students
Graduated from high school
4,559 (81.0%)
Statewide: 78.2%
Enrolled in college
3,590 (63.8%)
Statewide: 53.9%
Graduated from college
1,809 (32.1%)
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 5,630 students in Galveston County who began 8th grade in 2007, 32.1 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.
| Ethnicity | Class size | Graduated high school | Enrolled in college | Graduated from college |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 862 | 644 | 496 | 165 |
| Hispanic | 1,314 | 1,012 | 698 | 292 |
| White | 3,102 | 2,580 | 2,124 | 1,146 |
| Other | 352 | 323 | 272 | 206 |
| Total | 5,630 | 4,559 | 3,590 | 1,809 |
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 | 2,655 | 2,214 | 1,831 | 997 |
| Male | 2,975 | 2,345 | 1,759 | 812 |
| Total | 5,630 | 4,559 | 3,590 | 1,809 |
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 | 1,627 | 1,137 | 766 | 253 |
| Not disadvantaged | 4,003 | 3,422 | 2,824 | 1,556 |
| Total | 5,630 | 4,559 | 3,590 | 1,809 |