Closing the Gaps: A Comparison of Texas and Other Southern Regional Education Board State Policies for Student Retention and Completion

• In Event: Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: State Accountability Policies

Abstract

Noting disparity in postsecondary participation and completion between White and minority populations, states developed policies to encourage minority success. This study examined the efficacy of these policies among selected Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states through the lens of Texas’ Closing the Gaps.
The researchers selected six SREB states with characteristics similar to Texas and used descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of archival data. Findings showed that Closing the Gaps led to modest improvement of Black, Hispanic, and White retention and graduation rates at 4-year institutions since 2000. Texas became competitive on these indicators compared to the SREB states. The SREB states showed improved aggregate retention and graduation rates for Blacks and Whites but not Hispanics.

Authors

• David Rankin, Texas A&M University - Commerce

• Joyce A. Scott, Texas A&M University - Commerce

• JoHyun Kim, Texas A&M University - Commerce