Region 01

Edinburg

Began 8th grade in 2006

26,581 students

Graduated from high school

20,569 (77.4%)

Statewide: 76.3%

Enrolled in college

15,042 (56.6%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

5,754 (21.6%)

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 26,581 students in Region 01 who began eighth grade in 2006, 21.6 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 60 39 35 12
Hispanic 25,584 19,769 14,376 5,405
White 795 645 543 275
Other 142 116 88 62
Total 26,581 20,569 15,042 5,754

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 13,093 10,361 7,907 3,343
Male 13,488 10,208 7,135 2,411
Total 26,581 20,569 15,042 5,754

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 22,752 17,325 12,222 4,377
Not disadvantaged 3,829 3,244 2,820 1,377
Total 26,581 20,569 15,042 5,754