Region 16

Amarillo

Began 8th grade in 2007

5,719 students

Graduated from high school

4,525 (79.1%)

Statewide: 78.2%

Enrolled in college

3,112 (54.4%)

Statewide: 53.9%

Graduated from college

1,324 (23.2%)

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 5,719 students in Region 16 who began eighth grade in 2007, 23.2 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 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.

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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, 2007

Ethnicity Class size Graduated high school Enrolled in college Graduated from college
Black 323 240 173 35
Hispanic 2,177 1,645 964 334
White 3,100 2,548 1,901 914
Other 119 92 74 41
Total 5,719 4,525 3,112 1,324

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 2,732 2,223 1,653 763
Male 2,987 2,302 1,459 561
Total 5,719 4,525 3,112 1,324

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 2,928 2,125 1,264 389
Not disadvantaged 2,791 2,400 1,848 935
Total 5,719 4,525 3,112 1,324