50% of Austin ISD graduates are college ready

We have the education, skills and opportunities to achieve our full potential and lead meaningful, joyful lives.

Indicator: % Austin ISD students who graduate that are college ready

Significance of Indicator: The 2010 State of the Workforce report for the Austin-Round Rock MSA reports that college readiness is critical for students as the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs in Central Texas all require some post-secondary education. Most students in Central Texas report that they plan to attend a college or technical school in the year following graduation, but only 43% of college students actually earn a degree.

what the data tell us

College readiness rates have been increasing for most of the largest school districts in our region. The college readiness rate for Austin ISD remained stagnant from 2008 to 2009.

% of High School Graduates that are College Ready

Definition: Percent of high school graduates who scored at or above the criterion score on both the TAKS, SAT, or ACT English language arts and mathematics tests. To learn more about college readiness criterion visit the TEA's website, here.

Data Source: Texas Education Agency

Data Considerations: This data does not include the college readiness rates of high school seniors who dropped out, continued high school, or received a GED.

The Story Behind the indicator

While college readiness rates have improved for most of the largest school districts in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Area (MSA) over the past few years, there are college readiness rate disparities among different racial/ethnic groups. College readiness trends also show a gap in performance between the general student population and the economically disadvantaged student population. To learn more about the story behind the graduation rates in our community, click here.

Some local efforts to improve this indicator

The Austin Independent School District's Strategic Plan 2010-2015 includes goals related to college readiness.
The Austin Chamber of Commerce invests in focused efforts in the Austin Independent School District through Austin Partners in Education and through the Partners in Education Foundation in the Round Rock Independent School District to increase college and career readiness. Students whose academic knowledge is below readiness levels for success in higher education are identified and provided with tutoring in areas where they need to strengthen their skills.
The College Readiness Initiative at Austin Community College (ACC) is part of a state-wide initiative to make sure students are college ready when they graduate from high school. These efforts involve extensive partnerships between ACC and local high schools.

A Closer look at the story behind the indicators

Only 26% and 36% of Austin ISD's Class of 2009 African American and Hispanic graduates were college ready. Meanwhile college readiness rates for White, Native American, and Asian graduates were 71%, 73%, and 76% respectively.

% of Austin ISD graduates who are college ready by race/ethnicity

Definition: Percent of high school graduates who scored at or above the criterion score on both the TAKS, SAT, or ACT English language arts and mathematics tests by race and ethnicity. To learn more about college readiness criterion visit the TEA's website, here.

Data Source: Texas Education Agency

Data Considerations: This data does not include the college readiness rates of high school seniors who dropped out, continued high school, or received a GED.

The college readiness rate for economically disadvantaged graduates in the class of 2008 was 23% lower than the college readiness rate for the general student population of graduates.

Definition: Percent of high school graduates who scored at or above the criterion score on both the TAKS, SAT, or ACT English language arts and mathematics tests by economic status. Economically disadvantaged students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. To learn more about college readiness criterion visit the TEA's website, here.

Data Source: Texas Education Agency

Data Considerations: This data does not include the college readiness rates of high school seniors who dropped out, continued high school, or received a GED.

% of Austin ISD Graduates Who are College Ready by Economic Status