Hays County
Began 8th grade in 2011
2,168 students
Graduated from high school
1,818 (83.9%)
Statewide: 81.1%
Enrolled in college
1,116 (51.5%)
Statewide: 51.8%
Graduated from college
494 (22.8%)
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 2,168 students in Hays County who began 8th grade in 2011, 22.8 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 | 60 | 49 | 32 | 10 |
| Hispanic | 1,175 | 967 | 521 | 172 |
| White | 876 | 751 | 529 | 287 |
| Other | 57 | 51 | 34 | 25 |
| Total | 2,168 | 1,818 | 1,116 | 494 |
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 | 1,034 | 894 | 616 | 303 |
| Male | 1,134 | 924 | 500 | 191 |
| Total | 2,168 | 1,818 | 1,116 | 494 |
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 | 992 | 780 | 362 | 92 |
| Not disadvantaged | 1,176 | 1,038 | 754 | 402 |
| Total | 2,168 | 1,818 | 1,116 | 494 |