Through the Eyes of Higher Education

“We believe our work in creating that college-going culture begins at birth.”
 --Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Texas Fast Facts

· Texas ranks 51st in the share of adults (age 25-54) without a high school diploma or GED .

· Fewer than 1 in 3 young adults in Texas are currently enrolled in postsecondary education.

· In Texas, Caucasian adults are more than twice as likely as adults from other ethnic groups to have a bachelor’s degree.

Current demographic and education trends show a stark future for Texas 1) The number of individuals enrolling and completing postsecondary education is declining and; 2) The education gap between Caucasians and other ethnic groups for completing a postsecondary degree is among the widest in the country.  If Texas does not invest adequately in the education pipeline of our young population, then we will not have the supply of skilled workers necessary to take the place of the experienced baby boomer generation leaving the workforce for retirement.

In today’s global economy, a high school diploma is no longer enough to compete in a workforce that demands highly skilled individuals.  In fact, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has projected that 90% of the fastest-growing jobs will require some postsecondary education. 

We know from research that high quality early learning experiences leads to both short and long-term education benefits.  Participants of high quality pre-k are less likely to be held back in school and experience lower rates of special education referrals.  Moreover, longitudinal research has proven that participants of high quality preschool are more likely to graduate from high school.  Remaining in school is the single most important thing that teenagers can do to improve their economic prospects and going to college boosts their income even more.  Economists have shown us that early childhood learning is more effective at getting students to college than tuition policy and credit help combined.

Texas became the fastest growing state in the nation in 2006; however the ethnic groups that are leading the population in growth are the least educated.  Texas must invest early in the educational needs of all students in order to maintain its economic competitiveness.

Helpful Tools:

Texas Fast Facts

Relevant Research and Reports

Texas Specific Reports and Profiles

Sample Opinion Editorial Article by Dr. Richard Romo, President of the University of Texas at San Antonio

New Initiatives:

Texas Education Agency Launches "Own Your Own Future" Campaign

Relevant Events:
 
Parents as Teachers National Conference in St. Louis, MO April 1-3.  For more information visit http://www.parentsasteachers.org

Texas Licensed Child Care Association (TLCCA) Spring Conference in San Antonio, TX April 11, 12, 13. For more information and to register visit http://www.tlcca.org/conference-info.cfm

Week of the Young Child April 13-19.  This year's theme is Bring Communities Together for Children – Children Bring Communities Together.  Visit this National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) link for ideas on how to promote early literacy and learning in your community http://www.naeyc.org/about/pdf/WOYC2008EventPlanningHandbook