EPCC/UTEP Data-Sharing Symposium July 6,

Career and College Readiness: The Next Idea in Breaking the Cycle of Poverty James B. Steinhauser, Ph. D. Assistant Superintendent Research and Evaluation El Paso Independent School District 2

Two Public High Schools in Texas Class of 2008 School ASchool B All Students Four-year Graduates514 (99%)255 (65%) Number Taking SAT489 (94%)248 (97%) College Ready Grads (TAKS ELA & Math ) 88%19% Median income$150,000$37,000 Median home value$632,000$62,000 3

SAT and College Readiness Mathematics and Verbal (1.5 Million Exams Nationwide, 2008) 400 MIN Mean MAX TX 983 NM 1105 Mean Score Schl A 1201 School A 520 In Class School A 378 School A 111

SAT and College Readiness Mathematics and Verbal (1.5 Million Exams Nationwide, 2008) 400 MIN Mean MAX TX 983 Schl A 1201 Schl B 776 School B 392 in Class School B 6 School B 242

Class of 2007 NSC Data From a Title I District 2857 students from 10 traditional HS 2056 graduates found in NSC data (72%) 801 graduates not in NSC data (28%) Of the 2056 graduates in NSC data – 225 enrolled for 1 semester (11%) – 191 enrolled for 2 semesters (10%) – 226 enrolled for 3 semesters (11%) – 304 enrolled for 4 semesters (14%) – 1110 enrolled for 5 or more semesters (54%)

Enrollment Comparison for Two- and Four-year Institutions, Class of 2007 Semesters EnrolledEl Paso Community CollegeUniversity of Texas at El Paso One13815%368% Two11312%255% Three12113%449% Four17619%5111% Five %29764% InstitutionCollege Enrollment (2056 Graduates in NSC Data) El Paso CC92145% UTEP46723% Both EPCC and UTEP38018%

Explanations and Competing Explanations 1.Advanced Placement courses 2.Four years of the four core subjects 3.Ability to read as measured by Lexiles 8

Advanced Placement Courses College Board – Students in Advanced Placement courses attend college at a much higher rate than students who are not enrolled in Advanced Placement courses; therefore, districts should increase the number of Advanced Placement offerings. Competing Explanation – Students who plan to earn a college degree tend to enroll in Advanced Placement courses. 9

Four Years of the Four Core Subjects Core Subjects – Students who take fours years of core subjects are better prepared for college; therefore, districts should require all students to take four years of core subjects. Competing Explanation – Students who are planning to earn a college degree tend to take fours years of core subjects. 10

Ability to Read College-level Material Percent of Students With a Lexile Score Under College Reading Level Standard (1300) Class of 2007 (N = 2857) Semesters EnrolledEPCCUTEP 163%47% 263%30% 363%37% 458%36% 549%22%

Ability to Read as Measured by Lexiles Reading Level – Students do not persist in college because they cannot read material measured above 1300 Lexile. Competing Explanations – Money – Family – Grade 13 to follow grade 12, but the student decides on a career that does not require a degree and leaves the university. 12