Hispanic Graduation Rates at Texas Community Colleges

• In Event: Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Postsecondary Research 2

Abstract

With projections of a decline in the Texas economic base, graduation rates and percentages of Hispanic students at Texas community colleges were examined to determine whether statistically significant increases were present from 2000 to 2008. In 2010, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board modified the major initiative Closing the Gap, because the state was projecting a shortfall of the targets set for 2015. In this analysis of Texas community college data, the number of associate degrees obtained by Hispanic students statistically significantly increased from 2000 to 2008. The actual percentage, however, of associate degrees obtained by Hispanic students over this time period did not increase. This finding is of concern given the increase in the percent of Hispanics in Texas.

Authors

• Shelley Cox, Sam Houston State University

• Sheila Ann Joyner, Sam Houston State University

• John R. Slate, Sam Houston State University