Key Takeaways:
- Texas has struggled to provide higher education credentials to its students, with only 25% of students obtaining a degree or certificate within the state.
- Economically disadvantaged students, males, and Black and Hispanic students face significant barriers to accessing higher education.
- Recent laws, such as the College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus, aim to address demographic disparities and incentivize schools to support student success.
- Texas has implemented innovative policies, but their impact is not yet fully known.
- The state’s higher education attainment rates have improved over the past 15 years, but still lag behind national demands.
Introduction to Texas’ Higher Education Challenges
Texas has long struggled to provide its students with the higher education credentials that the workforce increasingly demands. Despite efforts to improve, the state still falls short of meeting the needs of its students and the workforce. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, only 25% of students in Texas obtain a degree or certificate within the state. This is a significant concern, as nearly three-quarters of U.S. jobs will require education or training after high school by 2031, according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.
The Disparities in Higher Education
The disparities in higher education in Texas are stark. Economically disadvantaged students, who make up nearly 60% of public education students in the state, are far less likely to receive a degree or certificate. In fact, only 15% of students from the Houston Independent School District, where nearly 80% of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, received a degree or certificate. Male students also lag behind female students, and Black and Hispanic students face lower completion rates than their peers. These disparities are not limited to urban areas, as rural regions face their own challenges, including limited broadband access, sparse postsecondary options, and long commutes to reach college campuses.
The Economic Challenges
Higher education credentials are crucial for economic stability and long-term mobility. According to Will Davies, the director of policy and research at Breakthrough Central Texas, even short-term credentials and associate degrees can lead to significantly higher earnings compared to a high school diploma alone. However, students from working-class and low-income families often have to weigh the cost of college and household responsibilities with the potential for greater economic security. Taking breaks from post-high school education or training, also known as "stopping out," can have severe consequences, including accumulating debt without earning a credential and limiting earning power and confidence in returning to school later.
Shifting Policies and Middle-of-the-Pack Results
Texas has a history of pioneering innovative policies, but its competitive edge was lost as the state rolled back some initiatives. The Top 10% Plan, which guaranteed admission to high school students in the top 10% of their class, and the Texas Dream Act, which provided in-state resident tuition for undocumented youth, were both groundbreaking policies. However, the state has since rolled back these policies, undermining their aim to address disparities. Despite this, Texas still ranks near the middle nationally in degree attainment. Recent policies, such as the College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus, aim to address demographic disparities and incentivize schools to support student success.
Promising Policies
There are promising policies in place that could help Texas improve its higher education attainment rates. The College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus provides bonus funding to school districts with the highest rates of students who finished high school ready for college or the workforce. A 2023 law restructured community college funding to incentivize schools that demonstrate students are making progress toward obtaining a workforce credential and completing college. These policies, along with others, may help Texas regain its edge in higher education. However, the impacts of these laws won’t be apparent until the coordinating board has time to track whether recent eighth-graders end up attending or completing college or training programs.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, Texas faces significant challenges in providing higher education credentials to its students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. However, recent laws and policies aim to address these disparities and incentivize schools to support student success. While the impact of these policies is not yet fully known, they offer a promising direction for the state. To improve higher education attainment rates, Texas must continue to innovate and address the disparities that exist. By providing support for students, particularly those from low-income families, and incentivizing schools to prioritize student success, Texas can work towards meeting the demands of the workforce and providing its students with the education and training they need to succeed.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PHOTO-2025-06-10-14-44-52.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Joburg Enters Second Phase of Water Maintenance Amid Ongoing Recovery")
