ERIC ED503612: Measuring Up 2008: The State Report Card on Higher Education. Texas

2008·1.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2008
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Texas
What Is Measuring Up? A Snapshot of
Grades and
M Change Over Time
easuring Up is a series of biennial report cards that provide the general public
Preparation:
and policymakers with information to assess and improve higher education in Grades: 6 states received an A,
18 states received a B, 21 states
each state. The report cards evaluate states because they are primarily responsible
received a C, 5 states received a
for educational access and quality in the United States. This year’s edition, Measuring
D, and no state received an F.
Up 2008, is the fifth in the series, which began in 2000. In Measuring Up, “higher
Change Over Time:* 34 states
education” refers to all education and training beyond high school, including public have improved or remained
stable on the key indicator
and private, two- and four-year, and for-profit and nonprofit institutions.
and 16 states have declined on
the key indicator.
The report card grades states in six overall all portion of income that most families must de-
Participation:
performance categories: vote for higher education continues to escalate.
Grades: 2 states received an A,
Preparation: How adequately does the state In Measuring Up 2008, state performance in 8 states received a B, 22 states
prepare students for education and training higher education is assessed in three ways: received a C, 15 states received
beyond high school? a D, and 3 states received an F.
Graded Information: Each state’s current
Participation: Do state residents have sufficient performance is compared with that of the best- Change Over Time:* 43 states
opportunities to enroll in education and training performing states, and the results are indicated have improved or remained
beyond high school? by letter grades. stable on the key indicator
and 7 states have declined on
Affordability: How affordable is higher educa- Change Over Time: Change Over Time indicators
the key indicator.
tion for students and their families? compare each state’s current performance with its
Affordability:
own previous performance in the 1990s. For each
Completion: Do students make progress toward
category, the state’s change is determined by its Grades: 1 state received a C
and complete their certificates or degrees in a
improvement or decline in performance on a key and 49 states received an F.
timely manner?
indicator in that category. This information is Change Over Time:* 2 states
Benefits: What benefits does the state receive displayed in two ways. First, states receive either an have improved or remained
from having a highly educated population? “up” or a “down” arrow in each performance area stable on the key indicator
(see page 3). An “up” arrow indicates that the state and 48 states have declined
Learning: What is known about student learning
has increased or remained stable on the key indica- on the key indicator.
as a result of education and training beyond high
tor in the category, a “down” arrow indicates that
school? Completion:
the state has declined on the key indicator in the
Grades: 11 states received
Each state receives a letter grade in each per- category. Secondly, information about Change
an A, 20 states received a B,
formance category. Each grade is based on the Over Time is presented graphically in greater detail
16 states received a C, 1 state
state’s performance on several indicators, or on the fourth page of this report card.
received a D, and 2 states
quantitative measures, in that category.
International Comparisons: As in 2006, this year’s received an F.
In four of the performance categories — Prepara- edition of Measuring Up offers international
Change Over Time:* 48 states
tion, Participation, Completion, and Benefits — comparisons that reveal how well the United States
have improved or remained
grades are calculated by comparing each state’s and each of the 50 states are preparing residents
stable on the key indicator
current performance with that of the best-per- with the knowledge and skills necessary to
and 2 states have declined on
forming states. This comparison provides a bench- compete in a global economy. State performance
the key indicator.
mark for evaluating each state’s performance is compared with the performance of nations that
Benefits:
within a national context and encourages each are associated with the Organisation for Economic
state to “measure up” to the highest-performing Co-operation and Development (OECD). Grades: 5 states received an A,
states. The Affordability category is the exception. 15 states received a B, 19 states
In Measuring Up 2008, all states receive an
In this category, the state’s current performance is received a C, 10 states received
“Incomplete” in Learning because there are not
compared with the performance of the best states a D, and 1 state received an F.
sufficient data to allow meaningful state-by-state
in the late 1990s, since current performance re- Change Over Time:* 50 states
comparisons. Measuring Up 2006 provided state-
flects a trend to “measure down” rather than have improved or remained
specific information on Learning for nine states,
“measure up.” All but one state receive an “F” in stable on the key indicator.
but in 2008 no state collects and provides the
Affordability. The failing grades in this category
information necessary to determine the state’s * For the key indicators for Change
confirm the fast decline in affordable higher edu-
“educational capital” — or the level of knowledge Over Time, please see the five in-
cation for American families. Despite state and
and skills possessed by its residents. dicators with asterisks on page 4.
federal increases in student financial aid, the over-
MEASURING UP 2008 2 www.highereducation.org
Texas
PREPARATION
Texas performs fairly well—and has REPORT CARD
B
improved—in preparing its young people
for college.
2008 Grade
nFairly small proportions of high school students
Preparation B
score well on Advanced Placement tests, but this
percentage has tripled over the past 15 years.
nOnly 74% of Hispanics and 89% of blacks have Participation D-
Change Over Time
a high school credential, compared with 93%
of whites.
Affordability F
Completion C-
PARTICIPATION
College opportunities for young and working-
D- Benefits C+
age adults are poor.
nThe likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 is
2008 Grade
low, partly because the state has one of the lowest Learning I
high school graduation rates in the country.
nAmong young adults, 24% of Hispanics and 33%
of blacks are enrolled in college, compared with
Change Over Time
39% of whites.
AFFORDABILITY BENEFITS
Higher education has become less affordable A fairly small proportion of residents have a
F C+
for students and their families. bachelor’s degree, and the economic
nPoor and working-class families must devote 30% benefits to the state as a result are only fair.
2008 Grade 2008 Grade
of their income, even after aid, to pay for costs at nEleven percent of Hispanics and 19% of blacks
two-year colleges. have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 35%
nFinancial aid to low-income students is low. For of whites.
every dollar in Pell Grant aid to students, the state n If all racial/ethnic groups had the same
Change Over Time Change Over Time
spends only 32 cents. educational attainment and earnings as whites,
total annual personal income in the state would
be about $98 billion higher.
COMPLETION LEARNING
Texas’ performance in awarding certificates Like all states, Texas receives an
C- I
and degrees is only fair compared with “Incomplete” in Learning because there is
other states, but the state has improved not sufficient data to allow meaningful
2008 Grade over the decade. 2008 Grade state-by-state comparisons.
nFifty percent of college students complete a
bachelor’s degree within six years of enrolling.
nOnly 36% of blacks and 38% of Hispanics graduate
Change Over Time
within six years, compared with 56% of whites.
WHAT DO THE ARROWS MEAN?
State has increased or remained stable on the key indicator
State has declined on the key indicator in the category.
in the category.
MEASURING UP 2008 3 www.highereducation.org
CHANGE OVER TIME: KEY INDICATORS Texas 2008
This page reflects Texas’ performance and progress since the early 1990s on several key
indicators.
PREPARATION PARTICIPATION
The percentage of young adults in Texas who earn College enrollment of young adults in Texas has The enrollment of working-age adults, relative to
a high school diploma has increased since the early improved slightly since the early 1990s. Com- the number of residents without a bachelor’s de-
1990s. High school completion is below the U.S. pared with the national average and the top gree, has declined in Texas—as it has nationally
average and well below the top-performing states. states, however, considerably fewer young adults and in the best-performing states. The percentage
are enrolled in Texas (in percentages). attending college in Texas is below the U.S. aver-
age and well below the top states.
Percentage of 18–24 Year-Olds with Percentage of 18–24 Year-Olds Percentage of 25–49 Year-Olds Without a
a High School Credential* Enrolled in College* Bachelor’s Degree Enrolled in College
100 60 12
10.6
94 94 95
95
50 10 9.3
43 44 8.9
90 88
39
86 86 40 8 7.3
85 33 34 6.9
85 29 7.2 5.7
30 6
80 80 80 28 29 30 5.9 4.7
75 20 4
1990-92 1998-2000 2006 1991 2001 2007 1991 2001 2007
AFFORDABILITY COMPLETION BENEFITS
The share of family income, even after financial The number of undergraduate credentials The percentage of residents who have a
aid, needed to pay for college has risen substan- and degrees awarded in Texas, relative to the bachelor’s degree has increased slightly in Texas,
tially. To attend public two- and four-year colleges number of students enrolled, has increased since but remains well below the U.S. average and the
in Texas, students and families pay less than the the early 1990s. However, Texas is below the U.S. top states.
U.S. average but more than those in the average and the top states on this measure.
best-performing states.
Percentage of Income Needed to Pay for All Degree Completions Percentage of 25–64 Year-Olds with
Public Two- and Four-Year Colleges per 100 Students* a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher*
40 Public Two-Year Public Four-Year* 30 40 37
35
35 25
30 28 20 21 21 29 29
25 24 26 20 16 18 30 27
20 15 19 21 19 18 20 15 15 14 14 15 23 25 26
15 13 10 12 20 22
10
10
5
5
0 1999-2000 2007-2008 1999-2000 2007-2008 0 1992 2000 2007 10 1990 2000 2006
*Key indicator for the category.
LEGEND:
& = Texas & = United States & = Median of Top Five States
MEASURING UP 2008 4 www.highereducation.org
PREPARATION Texas 2008
B
Texas performs fairly well—and has improved—in preparing its
young people for college.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
PREPARATION Texas Top
Compared with other states:
States
nEighty-five percent of young Early 1990s* 2008
adults in Texas earn a high High School Completion (25%)
school diploma or General Edu-
18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 80% 85% 95%
cation Development (GED)
K-12 Course Taking (30%)
diploma by age 24.
nVery large proportions of high 9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level math course 38% 64% 64%
school students are enrolled in 9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level science course 20% 56% 46%
upper-level math (64%) and in 8th grade students taking algebra n/a 28% 47%
upper-level science (56%), placing
K-12 Student Achievement (35%)
Texas among the top-performing
states on both measures. 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national 18% 35% 41%
assessment exam in math
nA small proportion (28%) of 8th
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
graders take algebra. 28% 28% 39%
assessment exam in reading
nEighth graders perform very
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
poorly on national assessments in assessment exam in science 23% 23% 41%
science and writing, indicating that
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
they are not well prepared to suc- 31% 26% 46%
assessment exam in writing
ceed in challenging high school
Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
courses. Their performance on na- 6% 21% 24%
the national assessment exam in math
tional assessments in reading is
Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on SAT/ACT
fairly poor, but they perform well 109 143 265
college entrance exam per 1,000 high school graduates
on national assessments in math.
nLow-income 8th graders perform Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an Advanced 47 166 237
Placement subject test per 1,000 high school juniors and seniors
well on national assessments in
Teacher Quality (10%)
math.
nFairly small proportions of 11th 7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with a major in their subject n/a 79% 83%
and 12th graders score well on *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
Advanced Placement tests, and See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
very small proportions score well
on college entrance exams.
nSeventy-nine percent of secondary Change in Graded Measures nDuring the same period, the percentage of low-income
school students are taught by quali- nOver the past 15 years, the proportion of high school 8th graders performing well on national assessments in
fied teachers, which compares very students enrolled in upper-level math has increased math has more than tripled.
well with top-performing states. substantially. nThe proportions of 11th and 12th graders scoring well
nDuring the same period, the proportion of high on Advanced Placement tests have more than tripled
Performance Gaps school students enrolled in upper-level science has al- over the past 15 years, although the state’s current
nThere is a 14% gap between most tripled, making Texas the fastest-improving state performance on this measure remains fairly low when
whites and all minorities in the on this measure. compared with other states.
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds nThe percentage of 8th graders performing well on Other Key Facts
with a high school credential. national assessments in math has increased substan- nAmong working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) without a high
Among the same population, tially over the past 15 years. school diploma, only six out of 1,000 earned a GED.
89% of blacks and 74% of His- nOver the past decade, Texas is one of only two states
panics, the largest minority pop- nAbout 24% of children under age 18 live in poverty,
to decline in the percentage of 8th graders perform-
ulations in Texas, have a high compared with a national rate of 18%.
ing well on national assessments in writing.
school credential, compared with
93% of whites.
The preparation category measures how well a state’s K-12 schools prepare students for education and training beyond high school. The opportunities that
residents have to enroll in and benefit from higher education depend heavily on the performance of their state’s K-12 educational system.
MEASURING UP 2008 5 www.highereducation.org
PARTICIPATION Texas 2008
D-
College opportunities for young and working-age adults are poor.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Texas
PARTICIPATION Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
nThe chance of Texas high school
Young Adults (67%)
students enrolling in college by
age 19 is low, because few Chance for college by age 19 29% 35% 57%
students graduate from high 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 28% 30% 44%
school and enroll in college. The
Working-Age Adults (33%)
proportion of students
25- to 49-year-olds enrolled in any type of postsecondary
graduating from high school 7.3% 4.7% 8.9%
education with no bachelor’s degree or higher
within four years is one of the
smallest in the country. *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
nA very low percentage of
working-age adults (ages 25 to
49) are enrolled in college-level
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
education or training.
Since the early 1990s: nTexas’ population is projected to grow by 36% from
Performance Gaps nThe chance of enrolling in college by age 19 has 2005 to 2025, above the national increase of 18%.
During approximately the same period, the number of
nThere is an 11% gap between increased by 20%, compared with a nationwide high school graduates is expected to increase by 38%.
increase of 8%.
whites and all minorities in the
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds nThe percentage of working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) nAbout 21% of the adult population has less than a
high school diploma or its equivalent, compared with
enrolled in college. The gap who are enrolled in education or training beyond
16% nationwide.
between whites and Hispanics is high school has declined by 35%, compared with a
15%, and the gap between whites national decline of 22%. nIn Texas, 6,924 more students are leaving the state
and blacks is 6%. than entering to attend college. About 11% of Texas
high school graduates who go to college attend
college out of state.
The participation category addresses the opportunities for state residents to enroll in higher education. A strong grade in participation generally indicates that state
residents have high individual expectations for education and that the state provides enough spaces and types of educational programs for its residents.
MEASURING UP 2008 6 www.highereducation.org
AFFORDABILITY Texas 2008
F Higher education has become less affordable for students
and their families.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Texas Top States
nCompared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY Previous Current in Previous
states, families in Texas devote a Years* Year Years
large share of family income,
Family Ability to Pay (50%) 2000 2008
even after financial aid, to attend
Percent of income (average of all income groups) needed to
public two-year colleges, and
pay for college expenses minus financial aid:
they devote a very large share of
family income to attend public at community colleges 15% 21% 13%
four-year colleges and at public 4-year colleges/universities 18% 26% 10%
universities in the state. These
at private 4-year colleges/universities 42% 67% 30%
two sectors enroll 89% of college
Strategies for Affordability (40%) 1993 2008
students in Texas.
State investment in need-based financial aid as compared to
nThe state’s investment in need- the federal investment 7% 32% 89%
based financial aid is very low
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income that the
when compared with top- poorest families need to pay for tuition 8% 14% 7%
performing states, and Texas
Reliance on Loans (10%) 1995 2008
does not offer low-priced college
opportunities. Average loan amount that undergraduate students borrow each year $2,873 $4,723 $2,619
nUndergraduate students borrowed *See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
on average $4,723 in 2007. Note: In the affordability category, the lower the figures, the better the performance for all indicators except for “State
investment in need-based financial aid.”
Change in Graded
Measures
nSince the early 1990s, the state
has substantially increased its
commitment to financially needy
students. Nevertheless, the share
of family income, even after
financial aid, needed to pay for
college remains large when
compared with other states.
Other Key Facts
nIn Texas, 50% of students are
enrolled in community colleges
and 39% in public four-year
colleges and universities.
The affordability category measures whether students and families can afford to pay for higher education, given income levels, financial aid, and the types of colleges
and universities in the state.
MEASURING UP 2008 7 www.highereducation.org
AFFORDABILITY Texas 2008
Financial Burden to Pay for College Varies Widely by Family Income
Those who are striving to reach or stay in the middle class — the 40% of the nIf the same student were to attend a public four-year college in the state,
population with the lowest incomes — earn on average $18,111. their net cost to attend college would represent about 37% of their
nIf a student from such a family were to attend a community college in the income annually.
state, their net cost to attend college would represent about 30% of their Tuition, room, and board: $12,449
income annually.
Financial aid received: -$5,827
Tuition, room, and board: $8,144
Net college cost: $6,622
Financial aid received: -$2,687
Percent of income: 37%
Net college cost: $5,458
Note: The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid
Percent of income: 30% may not exactly equal net college cost due to rounding.
Community Public 4-Year Private Non-Profit 4-Year
A CLOSER LOOK Colleges colleges/universities colleges/universities
Median Percent Percent Percent
AT FAMILY
Family Net of income Net of income Net of income
Income college needed to college needed to college needed to
ABILITY TO PAY
cost* pay net cost* pay net cost* pay net
college college college
cost cost cost
Income groups used to calculate 2008 family
ability to pay
20% of the population with the lowest income $10,565 $4,301 41 $5,131 49 $18,078 171
20% of the population with lower-middle income $25,255 $6,685 26 $8,187 32 $17,755 70
20% of the population with middle income $42,260 $7,629 18 $10,682 25 $19,034 45
20% of the population with upper-middle income $67,918 $7,893 12 $10,918 16 $20,052 30
20% of the population with the highest income $121,749 $7,981 7 $11,225 9 $21,644 18
40% of the population with the lowest income $18,111 $5,458 30 $6,622 37 $17,925 99
*Net college cost equals tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid.
MEASURING UP 2008 8 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION Texas 2008
Texas’ performance in awarding certificates and degrees is
C-
only fair compared with other states, but the state has improved
over the decade.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Texas
COMPLETION Top
Compared with other states:
States
Early 1990s* 2008
nOnly a fair percentage (50%) of
first-year students in community Persistence (20%)**
colleges return for their second 1st year community college students returning their second year 41% 50% 66%
year.
Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities returning their
73% 72% 82%
nHowever, a high percentage sophomore year
(72%) of freshmen at four-year Completion (80%)
colleges and universities return First-time, full-time students completing a bachelor’s degree
44% 50% 65%
for their sophomore year. within 6 years of college entrance
nOnly a fair percentage (50%) of Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
12 15 21
per 100 undergraduate students
first-time, full-time college
students complete a bachelor’s Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
17 21 44
degree within six years of per 1,000 adults with no college degree
entering college. *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
nIn addition, a fairly small **2008 data may not be comparable with data from previous years. See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
proportion of students complete
certificates and degrees relative
to the number enrolled.
Performance Gaps Change in Graded Measures
nTwenty-one postsecondary nThere is a 15% gap between whites and all minorities nThe proportion of students who complete certificates
certificates and degrees were
in college graduation rates at four-year institutions. and degrees relative to the number enrolled has
awarded for every 1,000 people
Thirty-six percent of blacks and 38% of Hispanics, the increased substantially since the early 1990s. The state
in the state without a college
largest minority populations in Texas, graduate from improved on this measure by 25%, compared with a
degree.
a four-year institution within six years, compared with nationwide increase of 24%.
56% of whites.
nDuring the same period, Texas has also seen a
nAmong white students, 16 degrees are awarded for slight increase in the number of certificates and
every 100 students. In contrast, among all minority degrees completed relative to the population with
students, 14 degrees are awarded for every 100 no college degree.
students. The rate of awards for both blacks and
Hispanics, the largest minority populations in the state,
is also 14 for every 100 undergraduate enrollments.
The completion category addresses whether students continue through their educational programs and earn certificates or degrees in a timely manner.
Certificates and degrees from one- and two-year programs as well as the bachelor’s degree are included.
MEASURING UP 2008 9 www.highereducation.org
BENEFITS Texas 2008
C+ A fairly small proportion of residents have a bachelor’s degree,
and the economic benefits to the state as a result are only fair.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Texas
BENEFITS
Compared with other states: Top States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA fairly small proportion of
residents have a bachelor’s Educational Achievement (38%)
degree, and the economic Adults (ages 25 to 64) with an associate’s degree or higher 28% 33% 44%
benefits to the state as a result
Adults (ages 25 to 64) with a bachelor’s degree or higher 22% 26% 37%
are only fair.
Economic Benefits (31%)
nHowever, residents contribute
Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
substantially to the civic good, as
of population with some college (including an associate’s degree), 3% 3% 3%
measured by charitable giving but not a bachelor’s degree
and volunteerism.
Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
9% 8% 11%
of population holding a bachelor’s degree
Performance Gaps
Civic Benefits (31%)
nThere is an 18% gap between Residents voting in national elections 49% 42% 65%
whites and minorities in the
Of those who itemize on federal income taxes, the percentage
percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds declaring charitable gifts 86% 83% 90%
with a bachelor’s degree or
Increase in volunteering as a result of college education 16% 16% 20%
higher, which is one of the
Adult Skill Levels (0%)**
largest gaps in the United States.
Among the same population, Quantitative Literacy n/a n/a n/a
11% of Hispanics and 19% of Prose Literacy n/a n/a n/a
blacks, the largest minority
Document Literacy n/a n/a n/a
populations in Texas, have a
bachelor’s degree or higher, *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
compared with 35% of whites. See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
nIf all racial/ethnic groups had the **State-level estimates on these measures are not currently available except for six states participating in an oversample;
NCES intends to release limited 50-state data on this 2003 survey in 2009.
same educational attainment and
earnings as whites, total annual
personal income in the state
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
would be about $98 billion higher.
nSince the early 1990s, the percentage of residents nIn 2007, Texas scored 69 on the New Economy Index,
holding a bachelor’s degree has increased by 17%, compared with a nationwide score of 62. The New
compared with an increase of 28% for the United Economy Index, created by the Kauffman
States overall. Foundation, measures the extent to which a state is
participating in knowledge-based industries. A higher
score means increased participation.
nPolicymakers and state residents do not have access to
important information about high-level literacy skills
because the state has declined to participate in the
national literacy survey.
The benefits category measures the economic and societal benefits that the state receives as a result of having well-educated residents.
MEASURING UP 2008 10 www.highereducation.org