Skillpoint Alliance Educator Conference

Authors: Christopher T. King, Deanna Schexnayder
Date: September 2008
Publication Type: Presentation

Findings from Education and Work after High School: A First Look at the Class of 2006

Date: April 2008 (presented at TG Conference)
Publication Type: PowerPoint Presentation

Full Report available here.

 

Findings from the 2007 Senior Surveys

Authors: Tara Smith, Nicole Beck, and Greg Cumpton
Date: February 2008
Publication Type: Report, 87pp.

Abstract: As part of the Central Texas Student Futures Project, Ray Marshall Center researchers survey Central Texas seniors each spring in the semester prior to their expected graduation to gain insight into factors that cannot be examined with students’ existing high school records. In Findings from the 2007 Senior Surveys, researchers Tara Smith, Nicole Beck, and Greg Cumpton analyze responses for all 2007 seniors surveyed in eight participating school districts — Austin, Del Valle, Eanes, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos Consolidated ISDs — regarding family background and influences, high school experiences, and preparation for life after high school. The analysis also examines statistically significant differences for particular groups of high school students of concern to policymakers, including those who would be the first in their family to attend college, Hispanic students, and low-income students.

Senior survey responses across all districts in 2007 reveal that Central Texas students are a diverse group, with future goals as varied as their backgrounds. Regardless of the differences in composition of the sample, many of the significant differences seen in 2006 survey results hold true for the Class of 2007. Across many topics including thinking about college as an option, studying for high school classes, working for pay, participating in extracurricular and college prep activities, and submitting college applications, results for 2007 seniors were very similar to those for seniors in the class of 2006. Many of the gender differences seen in 2006 were not found to be significant in the 2007 results. Additional questions about financial aid also reveal that many students, especially low-income students were unaware of the financial aid process.

While the survey findings themselves are interesting, these results will be more revealing after they are included in the statistical analysis of student outcomes upon leaving high school. The first report linking survey responses to student outcomes for 2007 seniors is targeted for release in the summer of 2008.

Student Futures Project 2007 Research Brief

Editors: Christopher T. King, Deanna Schexnayder, and Nicole Beck.
Date: February 2008
Publication Type: Research Brief, 12pp.

Education and Work After High School: A First Look at the Class of 2006

Authors:Christopher T. King, Deanna Schexnayder, Greg Cumpton, Tara Carter Smith, Chandler Stolp
Date: November 2007
Publication Type: Report
Abstract: For Education and Work after High School: A First Look at the Class of 2006, Ray Marshall Center researchers used both descriptive statistics and more sophisticated multivariate techniques to determine the factors associated with initial postsecondary education and employment outcomes for 2006 Central Texas seniors. Data for this analysis were constructed from individual student high school records, a spring survey of Central Texas seniors prior to graduation, and subsequent postsecondary education and employment records through December 2006.

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Community Briefing: Education and Work After High School: A First Look at the Class of 2006

Date: November 2007
Publication Type: Presentation
Availability: Full Report (PDF). 32pp.

 

Project SOS (Supporting Optimal Scholarship) Evaluation: Final Impact Report

Authors: Deanna Schexnayder, Daniel Schroeder, Greg Cumpton, and Kelly Stewart Nichols
Date: August 2007
Publication Type: Report, 42pp.

Project SOS began its operation in the spring 2004 semester and continued offering services through the 2005-06 school year.  The project took place at the five AISD high schools with the highest concentrations of low-income students (Akins, Johnston, Lanier, Reagan, and Travis).  The Austin Independent School District (AISD) Office of Advanced Academic Services implemented and supervised the operation of Project SOS.  This demonstration sought to identify and eliminate many of the key variables that prevent high ability, low-income students from enrolling in Pre-AP/AP courses at the secondary level and performing successfully on Advanced Placement exams. Types of activities were limited to those amenable to school intervention.

Central Texas High School Graduate Data Center: Findings from the 2006 Senior Surveys

Authors:Deanna Schexnayder, Greg Cumpton, and Nicole Beck
Date: May 2007
Publication Type: Report, 78pp.

Abstract: As part of the Central Texas Student Futures Project, Ray Marshall Center researchers survey Central Texas seniors each spring in the semester prior to their expected graduation to gain insight into factors that cannot be examined with students’ existing high school records.

In Findings from the 2006 Senior Surveys, researchers analyze responses for all 2006 seniors surveyed in six participating school districts—Austin, Del Valle, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville and Round Rock Independent School Districts—regarding family background and influences, high school experiences, and preparation for life after high school. The analysis also examines statistically significant differences for particular groups of high school students of concern to policymakers, including those who would be the first in their family to attend college, Hispanic students, and low-income students.

The research found that both the demographic characteristics of the 2006 survey respondents and their collective senior classes varied widely. Despite these differences, there was widespread agreement among students in their interest in further education beyond high school. However, major differences existed among different types of students in completing the detailed steps needed to successfully pursue further education. In general, female, White and Asian students were most likely to participate in the activities needed for further educational success, while low-income and first-generation students were least likely to do so.

The 2006 survey results have been used to developing statistical models predicting postsecondary outcomes for Central Texas seniors. The details of that analysis are presented in the September 2007 report Education and Work After High School: A First Look at the Class of 2006.

Central Texas High School Graduate Data Center: Year One Report Brief

Authors: Greg Cumpton, Esmeralda Garcia, Hannah Gourgey, Brendan Hill, Christopher King, Deanna Schexnayder, Tara Smith, and David Wilkinson
Date: April 2006
Publication Type: Brief, 8pp.

Central Texas High School Graduate Data Center: Year One Final Report

Authors: Deanna Schexnayder, Brendan Hill, Greg Cumpton, Esmeralda Garcia, Tara Smith, Christopher King, Hannah Gourgey and David Wilkinson
Date: March 2006
Publication Type: Report, 130pp.

Abstract: Globalization, technological innovation, and the ongoing restructuring of work have created a “skills premium” for well-educated and trained workers in the U.S. and locally. Currently, Texas has the highest percentage of adults without high school diplomas of any state and is also experiencing major demographic shifts that may exacerbate this trend.

There has never been a greater need for business and education to collaborate to prepare both current and emerging workers for success in their careers, starting with improved high school graduation rates and including higher rates of postsecondary education enrollment and completion. The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Education Agency provided funding to Skillpoint Alliance and the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources at the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs conduct research that could aid decision-making by local business and education officials and result in better education and labor market outcomes for local high school graduates. The Central Texas High School Graduate Data Center (Data Center) is being developed for that purpose. This report discusses findings, conclusions and recommendations based on the Data Center’s first year of work and describes plans for future research.