Latest News on Texas Schools

In Nov. 2012, the U.S. Department of Education released state by state high school graduation data that for the first time compares states using exactly the same calculation matrix for every state. (There is no data for Oklahoma, Idaho and Kentucky because these states were given extended time to come into compliance with the new federal reporting guidelines.) The latest data available is for the Class of 2011 and the data is a true four-year cohort calculation. Last week, the new Texas education commissioner made a press announcement regarding the outstanding performance of Texas.

The following are Texas highlights that we need to make much ado about with all of our community groups:

1. Texas is #1 in graduation rate for White students (92%.)
2. Texas is #1 in graduation rate for Asian students (95%.)
3. Texas is tied for #1 in graduation rate for African American students (81% tied with Montana.)
4. Texas is #2 in graduation rate for Economically Disadvantaged students (84% second only to South Dakota.)
5. Texas is #2 in graduation rate for Hispanic students (82% second only to Maine.)
6. Texas is #2 in graduation rate for Special Education students (77% second only to South Dakota.)
7. Texas is tied for #2 in graduation rate for Multiethnic students (92% second only to Delaware and tied with Missouri)
8. Texas is tied for #4 in graduation rate for All Students (86% behind Iowa, Vermont and Wisconsin.)

The only population of concern for Texas is Limited English Proficient students (58% ranked 26th.)