This document profiles high school readiness and success in Central Texas in 2012. It finds that: 1) High school students miss an average of over 2 weeks of school each year, with absences highest among high school students. 2) Around 1 in 10 freshmen are retained in 9th grade, showing a dramatic drop in enrollment after 8th grade. 3) Retained freshmen had 4 times as many absences in 9th grade as students who were promoted, and were over 10 times more likely to eventually drop out of high school. 4) Large gaps exist in reading and math achievement between racial/ethnic groups and income levels as early as 10th grade, indicating uneven college

1. 2012 Central Texas Profile
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2. HIGH SCHOOL READINESS &
SUCCESS

3. High Schools in Central Texas, 2011-12
Source: AskTED data from Texas Education Agency © E3 Alliance, 2012

4. High School Students Miss Average of 2+ Weeks
Average Number of Student Absences, by Campus Level,
15 Central Texas, 2009-10
11.3
Average Days Absent
10
7.4
6.6
5
0
Elementary School Middle School High School
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

5. Grade 9 Retention is Dramatic
Central Texas Students, by Grade Level, 2010-11
30,000
1 in 10 Freshmen are
Retained Students
25,000
Student Enrollment
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
-
PK KG Gr1 Gr2 Gr3 Gr4 Gr5 Gr6 Gr7 Gr8 Gr9 Gr10 Gr11 Gr12
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of AEIS data. © E3 Alliance, 2012

6. Retained Freshmen Had 4 Times More Absences
Absences during Grade 9 in 2006-07
25
24
Average Number of Absences
20
15
10
5 6
0
Retained in 9th Promoted to 10th
Status in 2007-2008 School Year
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

7. 83% of Retained Freshmen Failed Math TAKS
9th Grade Math TAKS Passing Rate, Central Texas, 2006-07
100%
Percentage Passing TAKS
80%
74%
60%
57 Percentage Point
Difference
40%
20%
17%
0%
Retained in 9th Promoted to 10th
2008 Student Status
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS and TAKS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

8. Retained Freshmen Are
10 Times More Likely to DROP OUT
Dropout Rate for Class of 2010, Based on 2007-08 Status
• NEED TO REDO FIGURE!!!
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

9. Large Percentage of Retained Freshman
Left Texas Public Education System
Retention and Promotion Rates for 9th Graders in 2006-07,
Throughout High School Years, Central Texas
100%
Percentage of 2006-07 Cohort
80%
60%
Retained
40% Promoted
20%
0%
Left 9 10 11 12 Graduated
2009-10 Status
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

10. Gaps in Ability Among 10th Graders
Exists Across Central Texas
10th Grade Reading TAKS Scores, 10th Grade Math TAKS Scores,
Central Texas Districts, 2003-11 Central Texas Districts, 2003-11
2500 2500
Average Reading TAKS Score
Average Math TAKS Score
2400 2400
2300 2300
2200 2200
2100 2100
2000 2000
03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Test Year Test Year
Hispanic African American White Low Income Hispanic African American White Low Income
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of district-level TAKS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

11. 10th Grade TAKS Pass vs. Commended Rates
Indicate Large Gaps in College Readiness
10th Grade Reading TAKS Scores, 10th Grade Math TAKS Scores,
Central Texas Districts, 2011 Central Texas Districts, 2011
100% 100%
99% 99% 98%
98%
91%
89% 90%
Pass and Commended Rates
Pass and Commended Rates
80% 80% 85% 83%
Reading TAKS
69%
Math TAKS
60% 60%
60%
58%
40% 40%
37%
29%
20% 26% 20% 25%
0% 0%
Met Commended Met Commended
Asian African American Hispanic White Asian African American Hispanic White
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of district-level TAKS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

12. College Readiness Increased
For the Class of 2010
Percentage of College Ready High School Graduates,
by Subject, Central Texas, Class of 2009 & 2010
100%
90%
Percentage of Graduates
80%
70% Career and
71%
66% 68% College Ready in
60% 65%
Reading
58%
50% 53% Career and
40% College Ready in
Math
30%
Career and
20% College Ready in
Both
10%
0%
Class of 2009 Class of 2010
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of AEIS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

13. Enrollment in Rigorous Coursework
Related to College Readiness
Rates of Central Texas Seniors Meeting
College Readiness Components, 2007-11
100%
Percentage of Senior/Graduates
% of Seniors Taking
Rigorous Coursework
80%
% of Graduates
60% Meeting Texas College
and Career Ready
Standards
40% % of Seniors
Graduating with
Recommended or
20% Distinguished Degree
% of Graduates
Enrolling in College
0% Within 1 Year of HS
Graduation
Class of Class of Class of Class of Class of
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of AEIS data, and THECB and TEA PEIMS data at UT ERC © E3 Alliance, 2012

14. African American & Hispanic Students
Receive More Minimum Diplomas
Types of Diplomas Received by Ethnicity, Central Texas, Class of 2010
100%
7% 8%
22%
Percentage of Graduates
80%
Distinguished
60%
70% 74% Recommended
66%
40% Minimum
20%
23% 18%
12%
0%
African American Hispanic White
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

15. Central Texas Students More Likely to
Earn Distinguished Diplomas
Type of Diplomas Received, Texas vs. Central Texas, Class of 2010
100%
12% 16%
Percentage of Graduates
80%
60% Distinguished
71% 66%
Recommended
40%
Minimum
20%
14% 15%
0%
Texas Central Texas
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Education Research Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

16. 5-Year Graduation Rates Improve High
School Completion Slightly
Percentage of 9th Graders Graduating Within 4 & 5 Years,
Central Texas, Class of 2007-10
100
90
Percentage of 9th Graders
80 85 84 86
80 82
79
70 76
60
50 4-Year Rate
40
5-Year Rate
30
20
10
0
Class of 2007 Class of 2008 Class of 2009 Class of 2010
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of AEIS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

17. STEM Collaborative
© E3 Alliance, 2012

18. Enrollment in STEM Pipeline Up Over 3 Times
Project Lead The Way, Secondary Course Enrollment,
Central Texas, 2007-12
6000
5000
PLTW Course Enrollment
4891
4000
3490
3000
2000 2290
2105
1493
1000
0
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
School Year
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of data provided by STEM Collaborative members © E3 Alliance, 2012

19. Project Lead The Way Aligns with
Higher Math Scores
Grade 11 Math TAKS Scale Score, by Student Enrollment in
Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Central Texas, 2010-11
100%
90%
80%
Percentage of Students
70%
69%
60%
Non-PLTW
50%
50% PLTW
40%
30% 38%
28%
20%
10%
12%
0% 3%
<2100 2100-2400 >2400
Source: UT Dallas ERC researcher analysis of PEIMS data at UT Dallas ERC © E3 Alliance, 2012

20. Project Lead The Way
Demonstrated Success
 Doubled the percentage of Hispanic
students, and tripled the percentage of women
enrolled in the program
 Higher math achievement and college
enrollment rates!
 More than Tripled the number of applications to
Texas State’s Ingram School of Engineering
 Applied for regional NSF grant to expand to
37 secondary schools!
Sources: STEM Collaborative members, UT Dallas analysis of PEIMS and THECB data at UT
Dallas ERC © E3 Alliance, 2012

21. The conclusions of this research do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official position of the Texas Education Agency,
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or the State of Texas.
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© E3 Alliance, 2012