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Is our Nation at Risk?
The release of 'A Nation at Risk'... brought to the fore the need to restructure the educational system in order to meet the demands of the changing global economy. The report set in motion a new era of reform at local, state, and federal levels aimed at excellence with the goal of increasing educational achievement and attainment. -
Closing the Gaps 2000-2015
This higher education plan outlines the goals of closing the gaps in higher education participation and success, in educational excellence, and in funded research over the next 15 years. -
Goals by 2015
1.Close the gaps in participation rates across Texas to add 500,000 more students.
2.Increase by 50% the number of degrees, certificates and other identifiable student successes from high quality programs.
3.Substantially increase the number of nationally recognized programs or services at colleges and universities
in Texas.
4.Increase the level of federal science and engineering research funding to Texas institutions by 50% to $1.3 billion. -
A prospering state
Texas is profiting from a diverse, vibrant and growing economy.
Yet this prosperity could turn to crisis if steps are not taken quickly to ensure an educated population and workforce for the future. -
What have we done by 2005?
1.188, 294 growth in student enrollment, largest 4-yr enrollment increase in Texas history
2. 68% of 2004 grads completed more than the minimum high school program, however the percentage of HS graduates who immediately enter college remains unchanged
3. White (up 10.7%) and African American (up 27.5%) student participation targets are met
4. Hispanic enrollment increased 30.3%, but target not met -
Continuing to 2010
Student population grew by over 401,000 students to nearly 1,421,000 in fall 2009, 229,000 below 2015 mark. On pace to hit participation targets for African American & white students. Hispanic enrollment of 413,000 students short of the 2015 target. African American females have made extraordinary progress – African American males have fallen farther and farther behind. The accelerated action plan’s target areas include African American males and Hispanic males and females. -
What did we learn?
Texans united around the goals Closing the Gaps by 2015. Over the 15 years, Legislature established and funded new higher education institutions, appropriated $3.3 billion to help low-income students attend college, and increased funding for programs in critical fields. In 2014, they enrolled more than 1.6 million students and awarded almost 250,000 bachelor’s, associate, and certificates – an increase of almost 600,000 and 130,000 since 2000. -
60x30TX
Texas institutions have distinctive strengths that include conducting world-class research, serving underrepresented student populations, and developing new certificate and degree programs quickly in response to local workforce needs. The new higher education plan, 60x30TX, focuses on student success through the combined expertise and resources of the faculty, administrators, and staff at our institutions of higher education, as well as the hard work of K-12 educators. -
Goals of 60x30TX by 2030
1.At least 60% of Texans ages 25-34 will have earned a certificate or degree by 2030.
2.At least 550,000 students in that year, will complete a certificate, associates, bachelor's or master's from an institution of higher education in Texas.
3.All graduates will have completed programs with identified marketable skills.
4.Undergraduate loan debt will not exceed 60% of first-year wages for graduates of Texas public institutions. -
Texas Governor Greg Abbott comments on the ending of "Closing the Gaps" and the beginning of "60x30TX"
"Thanks to the Closing the Gaps by 2015 strategic plan... over 2.6 million credentials have been awarded since 2000. We achieved a 60% 6-year graduation rate from our public universities, with community college completion rates up 190% and certificates awarded increased by 200%. And Texas doubled enrollment of Hispanic & African-American students. The 60x30 Texas plan takes Texas to the next level. Texas will be a national leader in higher education degrees." -
Dallas County Promise: A College Scholarship & Completion Program
The Dallas County Community College District Foundation has made an unprecedented commitment to provide free tuition and a Success Coach that will stay with students through transfer/completion, regardless of high school GPA or family income, to all 2018 seniors in 31 Dallas County high schools. The Dallas County Promise covers the cost of classes (tuition) for up to 60 credit hours at any of the seven Dallas County Community Colleges. -
Five years in: 2020
With increased additions of Early College High Schools and other college systems moving to similar "Commit" programs, high school seniors will effectively complete their first two years of college without incurring any debt. This is a major incentive to continue to complete their bachelor's degree. While, no data is available for 2020 yet, I believe programs like these will tremendously help toward the goals of 60x30TX. -
More than halfway there: 2025
Programs such as Commit 2 Dallas, can truly be an effective model to reach the 60x30TX goals by 2030. Commit 2 Dallas has set a goal of increasing national post secondary attainment to 60% by 2025 by 1. Reducing non-academic barriers to post secondary enrollment and persistence; 2. Supporting highly-intending students to enroll and persist in higher education through targeted communications; 3. Increasing post secondary completion to career through improved program alignment and guidance -
What to expect in the future with 60x30TX
More institutions will move to have an increased emphasis on guided pathways in higher education.
- Mapping pathways to student end goals: career focused meta-majors and programs of study
- Helping students choose and enter a program pathway: support for students to explore career and college options that best suit the students needs
- Keeping students on path: strengthened advising
- Ensuring students are learning: customizing general education learning outcomes for particular meta-majors -
Conclusion
60x30TX is still early in its inception, we already see colleges and universities making strides to implement various programs. Through intentional advising, guided pathways, and Commit! programs, all four goals of 60x30TX can be achieved. Texas shows no signs of slowing in diversity growth or workforce development, these programs will tremendously help reach our target population. The success of Closing the Gaps 2015 gives hope we will once again have a successful impact for our Texas economy. -
References
Cumings Mansfield, K., & Thachik, S.L. (2016). A Critical Policy Analysis of Texas' Closing the Gaps 2015. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 24(3/4). 1. doi:10.14507/epaa.v24.1991 Dallas ISD and DCCCD Early College High School Expansion: A Focus on Postsecondary Access and Completion. (2016, May 06). Retrieved September 14, 2017, from http://commit2dallas.org/dallas-isd-and-dcccd-early-college-high-school-expansion/ -
References
Getting to 60%: College Access and Success. (2015, April 07). Retrieved September 14, 2017, from http://commit2dallas.org/college-access-success-work-date/ Governor Abbott announces 60x30 Higher Education Plan in McKinney, Office of the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott. (2016, November 16). Retrieved September 15, 2017, from http://www.gov.texas.gov/news/posts/governor_abbott_announces_60x30_higher_education_plan_in_mckinney -
References
Jenkins, D., Lahr, H., & Fink, J. (2017). Implementing Guided Pathways: Early Insights from the AACC Pathways Colleges. Community College Resource Center. Retrieved September 17, 2017, from https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/media/k2/attachments/implementing-guided-pathways-aacc-summary.pdf. -
References
Nguyen, V. (2016, September 08). Texas plans to increase college graduation rates by 2030. Retrieved September 15, 2017, from http://www.dailytexasonline.com/2016/09/08/texas-plans-to-increase-college-graduation-rates-by-2030 The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 60x30TX (Rep.). Retrieved September 11, 2017, from http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/PDF/9306.PDF?CFID=66161463&CDTOKEN=46433704 -
References
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Closing the Gaps: The Texas Higher Education Plan (Rep.). (October 2000). Retrieved September 12, 2017, from http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF?0379.PDF?CFID66277746&CFTOKEN=23768598
