Hays County

Began 8th grade in 2006

1,906 students

Graduated from high school

1,562 (82.0%)

Statewide: 76.3%

Enrolled in college

1,043 (54.7%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

379 (19.9%)

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 1,906 students in Hays County who began 8th grade in 2006, 19.9 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 97 70 45 13
Hispanic 868 703 374 98
White 927 776 615 263
Other 14 13 9 5
Total 1,906 1,562 1,043 379

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 919 762 540 229
Male 987 800 503 150
Total 1,906 1,562 1,043 379

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 774 585 275 44
Not disadvantaged 1,132 977 768 335
Total 1,906 1,562 1,043 379