In January, Robert W. Glover, Tara C. Smith, Christopher T. King, Rheagan Coffey published findings on the initial implementation of CareerAdvance, a pilot program conducted by the Community Action Project of Tulsa County aimed at providing low-income parents of children in early  childhood centers with education, workforce training, and skill certification. The first year had a cohort of 15 participants. The study documents the accomplishments of the program in its initial year of operation, reviews the challenges faced by the program and its participants, and draws lessons and recommendations from the experience.
Click here to view the report.

On Jan. 31, Ray Marshall Center director Christopher King participated in the 2011 Texas Family Impact Seminar hosted at the Texas State Capitol. Seminar attendees include state legislatures and legislative staff. Dr. King, along with Cassius Johnson, the director of public policy at College Summit and former Barbara Jordan Fellow from the LBJ School of Public Affairs (2002), were the featured speakers for this year’s topic, Getting To and Through College: Strategies for Improving College Attendance and Completion Rates in Texas. Dr. King presented recent data collected from the Central Texas Student Futures Project which looks at factors that affect college enrollment, student demographic trends, and strategies for improving enrollment and completion of postsecondary education. The objective of these Seminars is to provide state policymakers with nonpartisan, high-quality research on issues that affect families in Texas. The Texas Family Impact Seminar is a collaborative initiative between the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin and Texas Tech University.

To view Chris King’s presentation, click here.
To learn more about the Texas Family Impact Seminars, click here.

In January 2011, the Central Texas Student Futures Project released the report, Findings from the 2010 Senior Surveys, by Greg Cumpton and Shelby Tracy. The report presents findings from a spring 2010 survey of area high school seniors. The annual senior survey is a key component of the Student Futures Project. Comparisons of data and trends between the class of 2010 and previous years’ classes are also presented. Click here to view the report.

In Nov. 2010 and Jan. 2011, Deanna Schexnayder provided updates on the Student Futures Project to the Greater Austin Chamber’s College Readiness and Enrollment Support Team (CREST). CREST is made up of area school districts and college representatives working to improve student preparation and enrollment in postsecondary education. The presentation from January 2011, presented data from the recently published Findings from the 2010 Senior Surveys, as well as a comparative look at post high school employment rates among the different graduating classes.  At the November meeting, Schexnayder discussed the most recent college enrollment rate statistics and trends over the past several years. 

Click here to view the Jan. 2011 presentation.
Click here to view the Nov. 2010 presentation.