Harris County

Began 8th grade in 2006

54,740 students

Graduated from high school

40,621 (74.2%)

Statewide: 76.3%

Enrolled in college

28,812 (52.6%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

10,970 (20.0%)

Statewide: 21.6%

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 54,740 students in Harris County who began 8th grade in 2006, 20.0 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 2006 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, 2006

Ethnicity Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Black 13,156 9,041 7,138 1,752
Hispanic 24,851 17,655 10,726 3,462
White 14,082 11,614 9,107 4,601
Other 2,651 2,311 1,841 1,155
Total 54,740 40,621 28,812 10,970

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, 2006

Gender Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Female 26,994 20,745 15,334 6,500
Male 27,746 19,876 13,478 4,470
Total 54,740 40,621 28,812 10,970

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, 2006

Economic status Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Disadvantaged 30,980 21,105 13,432 3,776
Not disadvantaged 23,760 19,516 15,380 7,194
Total 54,740 40,621 28,812 10,970