Region 10

Richardson

Began 8th grade in 2011

54,781 students

Graduated from high school

45,000 (82.1%)

Statewide: 81.1%

Enrolled in college

27,962 (51.0%)

Statewide: 51.8%

Graduated from college

11,528 (21.0%)

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 54,781 students in Region 10 who began eighth grade in 2011, 21.0 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 40 years old; one who started 8th grade in 2011 is now about 26.

We have broken down these numbers by ethnicity, gender and economic status.

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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 10,608 8,426 5,558 1,595
Hispanic 21,978 17,802 9,125 3,108
White 17,882 15,037 10,525 5,170
Other 4,313 3,735 2,754 1,655
Total 54,781 45,000 27,962 11,528

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 26,528 22,458 14,814 6,751
Male 28,253 22,542 13,148 4,777
Total 54,781 45,000 27,962 11,528

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 29,822 23,434 12,258 3,691
Not disadvantaged 24,959 21,566 15,704 7,837
Total 54,781 45,000 27,962 11,528