San Patricio County

Began 8th grade in 2006

1,123 students

Graduated from high school

846 (75.3%)

Statewide: 76.3%

Enrolled in college

526 (46.8%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

195 (17.4%)

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 1,123 students in San Patricio County who began 8th grade in 2006, 17.4 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 38 20 13 None
Hispanic 681 521 311 97
White 389 295 192 93
Other 15 10 10 5
Total 1,123 846 526 195

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 523 399 276 116
Male 600 447 250 79
Total 1,123 846 526 195

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 554 401 199 56
Not disadvantaged 569 445 327 139
Total 1,123 846 526 195