Webb County

Began 8th grade in 2007

4,561 students

Graduated from high school

3,635 (79.7%)

Statewide: 78.2%

Enrolled in college

2,857 (62.6%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

1,132 (24.8%)

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 4,561 students in Webb County who began 8th grade in 2007, 24.8 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 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.

Outcome of 8th grade class by ethnicity, 2007

Ethnicity Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Black N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hispanic 4,481 3,573 2,802 1,104
White 60 51 46 22
Other 20 11 9 6
Total 4,561 3,635 2,857 1,132

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, 2007

Gender Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Female 2,196 1,782 1,458 638
Male 2,365 1,853 1,399 494
Total 4,561 3,635 2,857 1,132

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, 2007

Economic status Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Disadvantaged 3,610 2,804 2,125 762
Not disadvantaged 951 831 732 370
Total 4,561 3,635 2,857 1,132